A statement from the NHS unions on the new pay deal http://www.unison.org.uk/paymatters/pages_view.asp?did=7193
Copy of Pay Circular issued to all employers
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B4077.pdf
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Friday, 6 June 2008
UNISON MEMBERS VOTE TO ACCEPT PAY OFFER
(06/06/08) UNISON members working in the NHS have voted to accept a multi-year pay offer worth more than 8%
An individual postal ballot of 452,000 members working in the NHS saw 64.91% of those taking part vote to accept the three-year offer worth 8.1% – and more to some members.A full range of health workers, including nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists, porters, midwives, health care assistants, technical, admin, cleaning, security and catering staff backed the deal, which will establish a new NHS minimum wage of £6.77 in the second year.
This result means that UNISON and the RCN, the two largest NHS unions, representing the overwhelming majority of NHS staff, have now endorsed the multi-year agreement.
"UNISON gave all our health members the opportunity to make their vote count and the ballot result shows what a tough decision it has been," commented UNISON head of health Karen Jennings.
"The 2.75% on offer this year is the best in the public sector and the three-year deal offers stability. However, the rising costs of everyday items such as food, fuel and energy obviously make members wary about being locked into a three-year deal. "That is why we negotiated a reopener clause that we will not hesitate to trigger if inflation continues to rise."We know that a number of small health unions have voted against accepting the offer and we will be making it a priority to meet with them and discuss a way forward."
The offer gives:
2.75% in the first year;
a headline increase of 2.54% in the second year, while also introducing a new minimum wage of £6.77 an hour for all NHS staff, 18% higher than the statutory minimum wage and meaning that those on the lowest pay 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;
nurses, midwives and paramedics on the main grade 5 and the bottom of grade 6 will receive extra money on top of the basic increase from the second year, to recognise that more than a quarter have reached their pay ceiling.
The two-thirds Yes vote in the ballot represents a solid vote for acceptance in the most representative test of opinion across the NHS workforce, as a result of a full postal ballot of the union with the largest membership across all grades and professions.
UNISON negotiators also point out that the package represents the best deal in the public sector, 8.1% over the years and up to 10.5% for entry-grade professionals with a new minimum hourly wage of £6.77.
But the union also recognises that a third of members in the ballot voting against the package reflects the anxiety felt about increasing food and fuel prices.The union warned the government that UNISON members will not tolerate a below-inflation increase next year, and if inflation continues to go up rather than down, UNISON will trigger the reopener clause for year two.
Members can expect to see the money from this pay rise in their pay packets in July.
An individual postal ballot of 452,000 members working in the NHS saw 64.91% of those taking part vote to accept the three-year offer worth 8.1% – and more to some members.A full range of health workers, including nurses, paramedics, occupational therapists, porters, midwives, health care assistants, technical, admin, cleaning, security and catering staff backed the deal, which will establish a new NHS minimum wage of £6.77 in the second year.
This result means that UNISON and the RCN, the two largest NHS unions, representing the overwhelming majority of NHS staff, have now endorsed the multi-year agreement.
"UNISON gave all our health members the opportunity to make their vote count and the ballot result shows what a tough decision it has been," commented UNISON head of health Karen Jennings.
"The 2.75% on offer this year is the best in the public sector and the three-year deal offers stability. However, the rising costs of everyday items such as food, fuel and energy obviously make members wary about being locked into a three-year deal. "That is why we negotiated a reopener clause that we will not hesitate to trigger if inflation continues to rise."We know that a number of small health unions have voted against accepting the offer and we will be making it a priority to meet with them and discuss a way forward."
The offer gives:
2.75% in the first year;
a headline increase of 2.54% in the second year, while also introducing a new minimum wage of £6.77 an hour for all NHS staff, 18% higher than the statutory minimum wage and meaning that those on the lowest pay 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;
nurses, midwives and paramedics on the main grade 5 and the bottom of grade 6 will receive extra money on top of the basic increase from the second year, to recognise that more than a quarter have reached their pay ceiling.
The two-thirds Yes vote in the ballot represents a solid vote for acceptance in the most representative test of opinion across the NHS workforce, as a result of a full postal ballot of the union with the largest membership across all grades and professions.
UNISON negotiators also point out that the package represents the best deal in the public sector, 8.1% over the years and up to 10.5% for entry-grade professionals with a new minimum hourly wage of £6.77.
But the union also recognises that a third of members in the ballot voting against the package reflects the anxiety felt about increasing food and fuel prices.The union warned the government that UNISON members will not tolerate a below-inflation increase next year, and if inflation continues to go up rather than down, UNISON will trigger the reopener clause for year two.
Members can expect to see the money from this pay rise in their pay packets in July.
Saturday, 17 May 2008
COLUMBIAN TRADE UNIONISTS VISIT NORTHUMBRIA HEALTHCARE
On Wednesday 19th March 2008 UNISON Northumbria Healthcare at Wansbeck General Hospital were visited by a delegation from Colombia South America.
The two Colombian Delegates were Carlos Gonzales, Trade Union Activist and Olga Alauja Human rights activist, they were accompanied by Alyson Grainger interpreter and Kenny Bell Unisons northern region deputy convenor.
They were met by George Barron Unison Branch Secretary and various Unison Stewards.
George took them around the hospital, were they visited the following Departments A&E, X-Ray and General Theatres, as well as talking to various staff in the corridors. Unison would like to thank all staff in these departments who met and spoke with our guests.
Carlos and Olga mentioned they were very envious of the facilities our NHS has and felt that the hospital was very clean and bright, they said the domestics must be very good we took them to A&E and they wondered why there were not patients and bodies lying all over (that apparently is what it’s like in Colombia). They thought A&E and Theatres were out of this world in comparison with back
home.
After the tour of the hospital, Unison stewards had brief Question and Answer session and discussion.
George Barron said “I felt quite humble and ended up with a lump in my throat; Carlos and Olga were telling us a couple of weeks ago some friends of theirs (hospital workers) were shot and killed, their crime was being an activist in the hospital workers trade union in Colombia “They are oppressed by dictatorship”.
When we asked if we could help in any way, they said they wanted solidarity with other Trade Unionists around the world and more than anything else wanted to have elected members of Government such as we have who they could approach and get to act on their behalf.
I know the other Unison Stewards found it quite daunting to hear these stories. So whilst we can’t diverse from any problems we have in England it does make you sit back and think.
Thanks once again to everyone who participated
The two Colombian Delegates were Carlos Gonzales, Trade Union Activist and Olga Alauja Human rights activist, they were accompanied by Alyson Grainger interpreter and Kenny Bell Unisons northern region deputy convenor.
They were met by George Barron Unison Branch Secretary and various Unison Stewards.
George took them around the hospital, were they visited the following Departments A&E, X-Ray and General Theatres, as well as talking to various staff in the corridors. Unison would like to thank all staff in these departments who met and spoke with our guests.
Carlos and Olga mentioned they were very envious of the facilities our NHS has and felt that the hospital was very clean and bright, they said the domestics must be very good we took them to A&E and they wondered why there were not patients and bodies lying all over (that apparently is what it’s like in Colombia). They thought A&E and Theatres were out of this world in comparison with back
home.
After the tour of the hospital, Unison stewards had brief Question and Answer session and discussion.
George Barron said “I felt quite humble and ended up with a lump in my throat; Carlos and Olga were telling us a couple of weeks ago some friends of theirs (hospital workers) were shot and killed, their crime was being an activist in the hospital workers trade union in Colombia “They are oppressed by dictatorship”.
When we asked if we could help in any way, they said they wanted solidarity with other Trade Unionists around the world and more than anything else wanted to have elected members of Government such as we have who they could approach and get to act on their behalf.
I know the other Unison Stewards found it quite daunting to hear these stories. So whilst we can’t diverse from any problems we have in England it does make you sit back and think.
Thanks once again to everyone who participated
Friday, 16 May 2008
UNISON NURSING
A number of resources for Nursing Staff
UNISON Nursing Matters Newsletter conference special http://www.unison.org.uk/file/17178.pdf
UNISON Student Nursing Newsletter Spring 2008
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A6432.pdf
Health Care Assistants conference 2008
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A6906b.pdf
Get Connected join UNISON Nursings Electronic Forums
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A6501.pdf
UNISON Nursing Matters Newsletter conference special http://www.unison.org.uk/file/17178.pdf
UNISON Student Nursing Newsletter Spring 2008
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A6432.pdf
Health Care Assistants conference 2008
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A6906b.pdf
Get Connected join UNISON Nursings Electronic Forums
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A6501.pdf
PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL & HEALTHCARE SCIENCE STAFF
For a copy of the UNISON Spring 2008 newsletter click on the link below.
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A3924UNISONPTBnewsletterSpring2008.pdf
http://www.unison.org.uk/file/A3924UNISONPTBnewsletterSpring2008.pdf
PAY 2008
UNISON is balloting members on a 3 year pay offer. UNISON is not making any recomendation on the offer.
Information on the offer is available here:
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3920.pdf
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3896.pdf
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3921.pdf
http://www.unisonoxonhealth.org.uk/pay/index.htm
UNISON evidence to Pay Review Body http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3738a.pdf
Members in the NHS should be receiving ballot papers on or after this Thursday, 15 May. They must be returned by 6 June. Papers can be requested for new joiners up until the 3 June deadline.
UNISON direct are taking calls about the ballot on 0845 355 0845, textphone 0800 0 967 968, from 6am to midnight Monday to Friday and 9pm to 4pm on Saturday.Not got a vote? Join UNISON today and have your say. Ring 0845 355 0845 and ask for an application form
Information on the offer is available here:
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3920.pdf
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3896.pdf
http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3921.pdf
http://www.unisonoxonhealth.org.uk/pay/index.htm
UNISON evidence to Pay Review Body http://www.unison.org.uk/acrobat/B3738a.pdf
Members in the NHS should be receiving ballot papers on or after this Thursday, 15 May. They must be returned by 6 June. Papers can be requested for new joiners up until the 3 June deadline.
UNISON direct are taking calls about the ballot on 0845 355 0845, textphone 0800 0 967 968, from 6am to midnight Monday to Friday and 9pm to 4pm on Saturday.Not got a vote? Join UNISON today and have your say. Ring 0845 355 0845 and ask for an application form
Thursday, 13 September 2007
2007 PAY OFFER ACCEPTED
UNISON members in the NHS have voted 2 to 1 in favour of the revised pay offer secured by union negotiators in August.
The deal will put extra cash in the pockets of the lowest paid workers in the NHS. In addition, non-clinical staff will have their training budgets boosted, and clinicians will get money to put towards their training fees - though only in England, where the award is being staged.
Karen Jennings, UNISON head of health, said it was a pragmatic vote."I believe that workers in the health service deserve better - however UNISON said the revised offer was the best that could be achieved through negotiation, and the result shows that members recognised that fact."Members had been told that should they reject the deal, they should also be prepared to support industrial action.However, the union will be seeking more money next year to make up for accepting this year's below-inflation award."We will be making a strong case for a catch-up award,"
Ms Jennings said. "I don't believe health workers will accept a below-inflation pay increase for two years running."In the meantime, the union is determined to improve terms and conditions for NHS staff by making progress over issues such as a reduced working week and better training.
Talks are due to begin soon.UNISON represents 450,000 members in the NHS including nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants, cleaners, cooks, porters, administrative staff and therapists. 68.8% voted for and 31.2% against the offer.
The deal will put extra cash in the pockets of the lowest paid workers in the NHS. In addition, non-clinical staff will have their training budgets boosted, and clinicians will get money to put towards their training fees - though only in England, where the award is being staged.
Karen Jennings, UNISON head of health, said it was a pragmatic vote."I believe that workers in the health service deserve better - however UNISON said the revised offer was the best that could be achieved through negotiation, and the result shows that members recognised that fact."Members had been told that should they reject the deal, they should also be prepared to support industrial action.However, the union will be seeking more money next year to make up for accepting this year's below-inflation award."We will be making a strong case for a catch-up award,"
Ms Jennings said. "I don't believe health workers will accept a below-inflation pay increase for two years running."In the meantime, the union is determined to improve terms and conditions for NHS staff by making progress over issues such as a reduced working week and better training.
Talks are due to begin soon.UNISON represents 450,000 members in the NHS including nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants, cleaners, cooks, porters, administrative staff and therapists. 68.8% voted for and 31.2% against the offer.
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