Importantly the PDA was seeking members’ views on the offer made by the UK government following negotiations with those NHS trade unions whose members had been taking industrial action.
First, the PDA wants to thank all members who responded to the survey, over 1000 in total.
- 45.5% of this total indicated they supported the offer in their country
- 32% said they wished to reject the offer
- 20% said they were undecided.
On this basis, the PDA Union will join those other unions whose members have accepted the offer in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and the separate offer in Scotland.
The PDA will however closely monitor the situation in Northern Ireland. Without a functioning Assembly in place in Northern Ireland delay in the implementation of the offer is again likely and the PDA will continue to work to ensure the pay offer for 2023/24 is paid in full as quickly as possible.
PDA members will be aware some unions, including the Royal College of Nursing and the Society of Radiographers have rejected the offer and say they will continue their opposition with further strike action. While the PDA Union will no longer be part of this opposition, it will continue to watch developments and should there be any changes to the situation members will be informed.
Nevertheless, the majority position of PDA members is to accept the offer and it should be implemented as quickly as possible.
The PDA would also like to note that over 300 of those responding to the survey not only rejected the offer but wanted the PDA to ballot members on strike action. Although a minority, and far short of the numbers required to take industrial action, this is nevertheless a sizeable minority. The UK government should therefore be in no doubt that members have reluctantly accepted this offer and that NHS pay will continue to be an issue dominating the political landscape until NHS workers receive a fair increase that starts to make good what has been lost during this period of high inflation. Whilst accepting the offer the PDA will continue to make this point at every possible opportunity.
At the moment the PDA does not have details of when the increase and lump sum will be implemented in England and Wales but it is unlikely to be earlier than the end of May. The agreement in Scotland has already been implemented and the Northern Ireland situation is covered above.
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.