Most unions back health pay deal

U.K.

The majority of trade unions have now backed the three-year pay deal in the health service but are stressing that they will use the re-opener clause to negotiate higher pay in years two and three if inflation continues to rise. The pay rise in 2008 is 2.75% with 2.54% in 2009, this will establish a new minimum wage of £6.77 an hour for all NHS staff, 18% above the statutory minimum wage. Those on the lowest point will receive an increase of 5.7%. In the third year the proposed deal gives 2.5%. It includes a flat rate increase of £420 (worth 3.17% at the lowest point) for the bottom three grades. However, members of Unite - the third largest union in the NHS - have voted overwhelmingly to reject the deal and will be balloted on industrial action. Unite represents a range of health service professionals such as health visitors and pharmacists. Its ancillary and ambulance staff members also voted against the deal.
Read more at > UNISON (EN)
And at > UNITE (EN)

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