Unite suspends industrial action in NHS pay dispute
13 January 2008
Unite, the largest trade union in the country, is suspending its
industrial action over the imposed three-year NHS pay deal.
A joint meeting of Unite’s Health Sector National Industrial
Committee – attended by representatives from both the Amicus and
TGWU sections – decided to defer industrial action on the pay
campaign.
Unite now intends to concentrate on other aspects of the overall
pay strategy, such as boosting the authority of the Staff Council,
collating evidence for future pay claims, broadening the remit of
the Pay Review Body (PRB), and specific employment issues, such as
the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in the NHS.
Unite reiterated its rejection of the ‘derisory’ three-year pay
deal imposed on NHS staff as a result of last year’s government
public sector pay strategy.
Unite said that it was determined to work with other health
sector trade unions and professional associations in 2009 in
pursuit of better pay and conditions for NHS staff, although it
expressed ‘disappointment’ that some unions had signed-up to the
three-pay deal last year.
Unite’s National Officer for Health, David Fleming said: ‘Since
Unite rejected the derisory deal imposed by ministers last spring,
the world has gone through a period of unprecedented economic
circumstances and continues to do so.’
‘As a result, perceptions and attitudes have changed, which is
not surprising. Given the hardships, job losses, and home
repossessions affecting thousands of our fellow citizens, the joint
committee decided to defer industrial action. It was the mature and
sensible course to take.’
‘The committee would like to salute the brave and principled
stand that our members have taken over the last nine months and the
fashion in which they supported the work-to-rule day of action on 3
December.’
‘And Unite members can rest assured that we will be campaigning
strongly in 2009 to tackle those issues, such as pay, which haven’t
gone away, despite the economic climate.’
-ends-
NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS:
- Before Christmas, the PRB declined to recommend to Health
Secretary, Alan Johnson that the ‘re-opener’ clause be triggered on
the current three-year pay deal
- Unite members voted by 76% to 23% to take part in industrial
action short of a strike last autumn. There was a 53% vote in
favour of strike action, with 45% against.
- Unite’s policy is to defend and strengthen the independence of
the Pay Review Body (PRB) to arbitrate pay on an annual basis. The
PRB recommended a 2.75% pay award for this year, 2008/9. The
government, subsequently, imposed the three-year deal worth in
total 7.99%.
For further information, please ring: Karen Reay, National
Officer, Health 07798 531 004; David Fleming, National Officer,
Health 07798 531013; Shaun Noble, Communications Officer (Health
Sector) 020 7420 8951 or 07768 693 940
Unite is campaigning against the imposed three-year NHS pay deal
which will mean pay rises being barely 50% of the current
rate of inflation.
Unite Health Sector web page www.unitetheunion.org/health
Unite/CPHVA press releases can be seen on the CPHVA website:
www.unitetheunion.org/cphva
Unite is the largest union in the UK. It has seven professional
sections: the Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’
Association, the Mental Health Nurses Association, the Guild of
Healthcare Pharmacists, the Society of Sexual Health Advisers, the
Medical Practitioners’ Union, College of Healthcare Chaplains, and
the Hospital Physicists Association.
Unite was formed by an amalgamation of Amicus and the Transport
and General Workers’ Union in May 2007.
