Rogue NHS employers, such as those in the South West Pay cartel, are undermining national negotiations and stirring up industrial unrest across the NHS, warned UNISON, the UK’s largest union today.
The union is calling on MPs to show their support for Agenda for Change (the NHS national pay agreement) in a parliamentary debate tomorrow (Wednesday 7 November) or risk alienating staff including nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants and doctors. NHS unions are holding in-depth national negotiations on changes to Agenda for Change and the attacks on staff by the South West Cartel are threatening to derail those talks.
Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“It is time to put a stop to postcode pay. Rogue elements, such as the South West Cartel are acting irresponsibly and stirring up fear and industrial unrest among their workforce. This is spreading across the NHS like a plague and causing massive anger and worry for staff who just want to get on with their job – caring for patients.
“NHS workers like nurses, paramedics, therapists and their families have already been hit by a two year pay freeze. They are struggling to cope with the massive upheaval caused by the Health and Social Care Act, as well as cuts to staff and services. National pay bargaining has a proven track record of keeping the industrial peace and we need MPs to back it.”
UNISON has sent a briefing to all Labour and Lib Dem MPs ahead of the debate tomorrow as well as to all MPs in the South West region.
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