Union ratchets up fight against SW pay cartel

UNISON, the UK's largest public service union - which represents more than 1.3 million people providing vital services to the public - is ratcheting up its campaign against the consortium of 20 NHS trusts in the South West. The group of trusts, referred to as a “pay cartel” by unions, has announced plans to break away from Agenda for Change and reduce workers’ pay, terms and conditions in a move which could affect around 88,000 NHS staff, including nurses and doctors.

The union is planning lobbies, rallies and demonstrations, inlcuding outside the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital today, ahead of a protest march in Bristol on Saturday (1st December).

The first demonstration was held yesterday (27th November) outside the main entrance to Barnstaple Hospital, where the North Devon Healthcare Trust was due to meet, and it included the handing in of a petition of staff and members of the public to the board members.

Today (28th November), a lobby is taking place between 7-10am at the CWH Entrance, Barrack Road, Exeter.

There will also be a lobby of the Dorset Health Care University Trust on Wednesday morning and a joint union lobby of the Devon Partnership Trust Board meeting on Thursday 29th November.

Former health minister and Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said in a recent parliamentary debate on the subject: “Never in more than 17 years in this place [the Commons], have I received so many letters and emails expressing such anger and such dismay as I have on this issue.”

He said one senior nurse from Exeter had told him her staff were at breaking point and she predicted a mass exodus. He said other nurses had told him they would leave the area or move abroad.

Mr Bradshaw added: “It is clear to me from the testimony of my constituents, loyal NHS staff, that even before this plan is even implemented just the discussion of it is having a devastating impact on their morale.”

In response, Health Minister Anna Soubry, who is backing the consortium of 20 NHS trusts, said the government supported the “continued option” of national agreements.

But she added: “Every pay system needs to be kept under review to ensure it remains sustainable.”

She said smaller unions had already come out against any change and preferred to “stick their head in the sand”.

“There’s no point believing the government can wave a magic wand and make these financial pressures [facing the NHS] disappear,” she told MPs.

She said she believed the South West Consortium was taking a “responsible and mature approach”.

Asked by Mr Bradshaw if she supported the South West Consortium, she replied: “I absolutely support anybody who takes a mature and sensible approach to these matters.”