Staff in the NHS are covered by a national agreement – Agenda for Change (AfC) – on pay and other terms like holidays, sick pay and allowances.
This agreement was negotiated by employers and trade unions, and UNISON believe that it works well for the NHS and is good for staff, patients and communities.
Employers say that Agenda for Change needs to be amended for them to continue to use it – UNISON and the other NHS trade unions have negotiated a package that balances some changes we don’t like with some we have proposed on workforce reprofiling.
These changes are in England only. UNISON’s health executive thinks they may be a better alternative to fighting employers at local level if more break away from Agenda for Change.
The executive is seeking to reach an agreement, but wants your views.
Branches will be running consultations to:
- find out if members will accept the proposals rather than the likely alternatives;
- find out if employers will make a commitment to Agenda for Change based on these proposals;
- find out what action members are willing to take to defend their current Agenda for Change terms and conditions.
Materials have been prepared to help explain the proposals, explore the alternatives to a national deal and help you have your say. If you are a UNISON branch rep, contact your regional office or organiser to talk about how members can have their say. You can read the proposals here ../../../acrobat/NHS_Staff_Council_Proposals.pdf
Visit here to access briefings, FAQs and other materials about how the proposals woukld affect you. ../../../healthcare/a4c/consultation.asp