Bournemouth and Christchurch trust makes 'right decision'
(13/11/12) UNISON has applauded the decision of Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to leave the South West Pay and Conditions Consortium.
The consortium – which is also known as the pay cartel – is considering setting up a regional pay structure and taking affected healthcare workers out of the nationally-negotiated Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
UNISON regional organiser Mike Cracknell said: "We strongly welcome this decision from Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
"And look forward to working together with them over the coming weeks to ensure staff are supported in this time of change across the NHS.
"This move is a real step forward, and shows a genuine commitment to the hundreds of skilled healthcare workers, porters, nurses, midwives, technical experts and support staff who make our local hospitals and our NHS as a whole the great British institution it is."
UNISON regional manager Helen Willis said that the decision meant that the trust's staff "can get on with their jobs without worrying about drastic pay cuts that will single them out as worth less than their colleagues in Birmingham or Canterbury."
And she added that the proposals "may, in the long-run, have ended up costing the trust more not less."
UNISON head of health Christina McAnea said: "This is the right decision and good news for patients and staff. We hope that other trusts in the South West cartel will review their involvement in the consortium.
"UNISON will work with them to address the serious financial issues they are facing."
UNISON in the South West
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