Unite press release

For immediate release: Monday 22 May 2023

Strike at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to go ahead after pay cut proposed 

College’s latest offer amounts to a real terms pay cut of 12%

Strike action set for 23-25 May during the College’s annual conference will go ahead.

Members of Unite employed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) will continue strike action this week and stage a protest at the RCPCH annual conference in a dispute over an “appalling pay offer”.

Demonstrations will take place from 7:30am in Glasgow on Tuesday 23 May and Wednesday 24 May outside the RCPCH Conference at the SEC Armadillo, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW.

A demonstration will also take place at the RCPCH headquarters on 5 Theobalds Rd, London WC1X 8SL between 8:30am-11.00am on Tuesday 23 May and Wednesday 24 May.

The employer has offered workers a two year pay deal which amounts to a real terms pay cut of 12 percent which the union has rejected. The College can afford to pay workers more. The RCPCH ended the last financial year £2.2 million over budget, increasing reserves from £2.8million to £4.7million.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “The management at the Royal College have the resources to make staff a better pay offer. It’s total hypocrisy for the College to deliver a real terms pay cut for its own workers while lecturing others about the impact of low pay on public health.

“The College can afford to pay workers more. Unite’s support for these workers will be resolute.”

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health is the membership body for paediatricians in the UK and around the world. It plays a major role in postgraduate medical education, professional standards, research and policy.

Unite regional officer Matt Freeman said: “Growing numbers of paediatricians have been contacting Unite to express their support for staff at the College because they understand the importance of the work they do.

“Unite members have been crystal clear about what it will take to end this dispute. Even though the College took no action following Unite’s response last week, there is still time for management to make a decent pay offer to help workers through the cost of living crisis.” 

ENDS

For more information please contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315 

Email: Ci[email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1

Unite is the leading union in the UK and Ireland, dedicated to defending and improving members' jobs, pay and conditions. The general secretary is Sharon Graham