Speaking following a meeting of the Health Committee today, PBP MLA Gerry Carroll said he was ‘disappointed’ that the committee did not vote on his proposal to oppose the 3% pay offer to NHS staff. The proposal will instead be heard at next week’s health committee, when Mr Carroll will push for opposition, encouraging other parties to ‘stand up for health workers’.
Mr Carroll said:
“Today I made a proposal for the Health Committee to reject the measly 3% pay offer to health workers, which should never have been adopted by Robin Swann. This offer would disproportionately benefit those at the top of the pay scale, leaving those at the bottom with little of a rise at all after inflation.
“By opposing this offer, we can stand up for those who have fought on the front line of this pandemic and that is exactly what I am asking all other parties to do. It is disappointing that my proposal has been pushed back until next week’s meeting but I will use this time to encourage all health workers and trade unions to get in touch with committee members.
“Last night the Tories pushed through a hike in National Insurance which will hit low paid workers hardest, and we’re set to see hikes in utility bills and cuts to universal credit. Very many workers in the health service will be hit by this trifecta, which is why we need to demand a proper pay hike that represents the role of health workers during the pandemic, and the difficult period ahead for them.”
ENDS