Ben Bradshaw heads up debate on regional pay
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw has led a Parliamentary debate on the proposed introduction of regional pay by the South West Pay Consortium.
The motion reads: That this House believes national pay agreements are an important part of the infrastructure that underpins a national health service; notes the statement by the Deputy Prime Minister ruling out regional pay in the main public services; notes with increasing concern attempts by twenty trusts in the South West of England to opt out of national agreements by reducing staff pay and changing terms and conditions; notes with further concern that an additional 11 trusts across England are considering similar moves; and calls on the Government to intervene without delay and uphold the principle of national pay arrangements in the NHS.
The government is considering introducing regional pay for public sector workers as it believes salaries in some regions are higher than the true market rate and so the private sector struggles to compete for staff. If approved, the south west of England could be among the first areas in the country to have it introduced.
Bringing in this scheme in South West England was suggested in a leaked document in June and would replace the current NHS national pay bargaining model. However, unions fear the proposals will lead to cuts to pay and conditions.
UNISON has warned that "Rogue NHS employers, such as those in the South West Pay cartel, are undermining national negotiations and stirring up industrial unrest across the NHS.
"We are calling on MPs to show their support for Agenda for Change (the NHS national pay agreement) in the parliamentary debate today or risk alienating staff including nurses, paramedics, healthcare assistants and doctors.
"NHS unions are holding in-depth national negotiations on changes to Agenda for Change and the attacks on staff by the South West Cartel are threatening to derail those talks."
UNISON Head of Health Christina McAnea said: ”It is time to put a stop to postcode pay. Rogue elements, such as the South West Cartel are acting irresponsibly and stirring up fear and industrial unrest among their workforce. This is spreading across the NHS like a plague and causing massive anger and worry for staff who just want to get on with their job – caring for patients.
“NHS workers like nurses, paramedics, therapists and their families have already been hit by a two year pay freeze. They are struggling to cope with the massive upheaval caused by the Health and Social Care Act, as well as cuts to staff and services. National pay bargaining has a proven track record of keeping the industrial peace and we need MPs to back it.”
UNISON has sent a briefing to all Labour and Lib Dem MPs ahead of the debate as well as to all MPs in the South West region.
