UNISON health members have today given the go ahead for the Government’s NHS pay modernisation package, Agenda for Change, to be tested in 12 development sites across England.
The ballot of all UNISON health workers produced an 81.5% majority in favour of the proposals. The results of the pilot sites will be carefully monitored and UNISON wants any problems thrown up by the pilot sites to be ironed out, ahead of a second ballot due to take place next year.
Voting was as follows:
For 76,056 (81.5%)
Against 17,224 (18.5%)
Turnout 22%.
Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health said:
“This decision is of critical importance to the future of the NHS and its staff. Our members have chosen to put Agenda for Change to the test to see how it will work in practice before deciding whether to extend it across the NHS.
“A lot of work has been done by UNISON to get the information across to members but the impetus is now firmly on the Government to ensure that it keeps its promises and sorts out any anomalies raised by the pilot sites before we put it to the test again.
“Finally the decision will allow health service members to get their pay rise in their pockets as soon as possible.”
ends