Leading health activists for UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have today called for a branch consultation across England as a result of controversial, national negotiations on changes to NHS terms and conditions – Agenda for Change.
The union’s health service group executive (HSGE) met today (21 November) to discuss the proposals and to highlight the danger of rogue employers, like the 19 in the South West Cartel, not committing to Agenda for Change. As a result, the union is to ask branches to gauge the strength of local support from their employers to stick with the new Agenda for Change proposals.
Christina McAnea, UNISON Head of Health, said:
“The changes to Agenda for Change are a bitter pill for our members to swallow, but all around them they see the harsh reality of Government cuts on patients and staff. However, before they feel confidence in these proposals, they need to know that their employers are not going to renege on the negotiations and go it alone.
“The breakaway South West Cartel has destroyed the confidence of staff across the whole of the NHS. We want NHS employers across the country to rebuild that trust by giving a clear signal that they will not threaten staff with breakaway terms and conditions if this deal is accepted.”
The results of the consultation will be considered at next meeting of UNISON’s Health Service Group Executive in the New Year.
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