Hundreds of thousands of pounds is being paid out to protect the salaries of top health managers for up to 10 years, according to information obtained by Plaid Cymru AM Leanne Wood.
Pay rates were protected under the Welsh Government’s reorganisation of the health service so that staff who failed to get new jobs in the new set-up had their salaries maintained for up to a decade.
More than 50 executives on up to £97,478 are still on protected pay as part of the All Wales Organisational Change Policy two years ago.
While Leanne Wood, who represents South Wales Central, has focused on the 10 year pay protection for top managers, a Freedom of Information Act request discovered that one member of staff in Powys is having their salary protected for 14 years from April 3, 2oo6 until April 2, 2020, although not involved in the last re-organisation.
Leanne Wood said: “I can understand the need to protect the salaries of staff for one, two or even three years but 10 years for some of the highest paid employees will be viewed as excessive. How many workers whether in the private or public sector can expect this sort of deal from their employers?
“I would like to see the government consider whether these deals can be re-negotiated, particularly given the austerity measures. But most importantly the Welsh Government needs to ensure nothing like this sort of deal is offered again.”
Leanne Wood will be raising the issue in questions this afternoon to the Health Minister Lesley Griffiths.
Leanne Wood has been highlighting the issue of top executive pay in the public sector at a time of dwindling financially resources.
