Let us be very clear: A dispute is looming within the National Health Service over pay!
After pay freezes and real time pay cuts, the way this Government has treated the Pay Review Body (PRB) is disgraceful and unacceptable.
Bearing in mind that the PRB recommendation of 1% was not a King’s ransom, the actions of the Government is doubly deplorable.
I hate to say it but brace yourself for industrial action within the UK Ambulance Services!
Last week’s UNISON Health Conference in Brighton was full of angry delegates. Delegates who are health professionals throughout the NHS. Delegates who hold responsible positions at all levels. Delegates who love their job and care for patients.
How any Government or Health Secretary can push these people to breaking point is beyond me. But push them they have!
Health professionals calling for strike action is a warning not to be ignored.
UNISON Head of Health, Christina McAnea, sent a letter to the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, a week or so ago, telling him to ‘step back from the brink!’. I have never, ever, read such a strong letter and message to any Secretary of State.
The Conference also passed an Emergency Motion from the Health Service Group Executive (SGE) calling for a sustained campaign and strike ballots. It put in position a strategy to involve all members and all parts of the Health Service.
I spoke in the debate on behalf of the Executive.
We are the guardians of the NHS. This pay ‘offer’ is divisive, not only in the workplace but also across the UK. It is being treated differently within the devolved nations.
We know that a gauntlet has been thrown down. We pick it up or we walk the other way! UNISON will pick it up on behalf of our members, patients and the NHS.
If we had been able to negotiate with the London Ambulance Service who knows what would have happened.
We couldn’t, we didn’t, we haven’t!
We are part of a national union and part of national pay bargaining, albeit with the PRB as a conduit (for now!).
We know this is not the fault of LAS management and our dispute is not with the LAS: but because of the disgraceful attitude of this Government towards public sector staff, particularly health staff, we are all dragged into any dispute and action that emerges.
Our dispute will be radical and not reckless. No baby will be thrown out of the bathtub!
Support your Union. Support the NHS. Support NHS Ambulance Services.
More information will be sent out soon.
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Information on all issues can be found elsewhere on our website.
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If you are reading this, work for the London Ambulance Service or are eligible to join, and are not yet a member of UNISON Join Today!
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We are stronger together.
Eric Roberts
Branch Secretary.
| Health workers vote for strike ballotHundreds of thousands of healthcare workers, including nurses, paramedics, porters, cleaners, cooks, therapists and healthcare assistants, are to be balloted for industrial action over pay.Delegates at UNISON’s health care conference in Brighton gave an overwhelming yes vote to a ballot.The ballot will be part of a long-term and wide-ranging campaign on health pay.News story: Health conference backs strike action over pay
UNISON delegates call for strike ballot as part of major campaign for pay, a properly-funded NHS and to protect services – starting with a day of protest on 5 June News story: If we organise we can win UNISON health conference backs up vote for action with calls to organise in regions and branches Sign up to our NHS pay campaign _____________________ |
| General secretary’s blogFor our members working in local government, the reality of everyday life is looking pretty bleak – they desperately need a pay packet that recognises the vital work they do |
| UNISON members at Care UK in Doncaster promise more action at Good Friday strike rallyFighting for the soul of the country Care UK members speak out_____________________HE employers offer 2% and living wage Service group executive to meet on 23 April to discuss consultation on offer and 2013/14 dispute_____________________ Canal and River Trust unions submit claim _____________________ |
| _____________________Recruitment: 7 things to do this week Make May Matter in the latest recruitment drive kicking off next week_____________________Barnet launches anti-privatisation song Satirical song attacks wholesale outsourcing of services by north London Tory council_____________________ Recognition deal signed with Ocean Integrated Services _____________________ Remember the Rana Plaza collapse – and tell Matalan to pay up _____________________ |
| Upcoming events Find out about UNISON events in your region and service group, including international workers’ memorial day_____________________Jobs in UNISON Want to work for UNISON? See our current vacancies_____________________ |
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