Further Information on Proposed Pay Package April 2008

Further information on the proposed pay package is detailed below. Please note in particular circular (HC/48/08) from Karen Jennings which states as below. Please also see below for links to important documents.

Within the tight constraints of the time available, branch delegates to Manchester are asked to seek to gauge the mood of their membership to the proposals and potential support for a significant dispute.

There is an ‘at a glance' guide and branches are asked to do their best in e mailing stewards, members; asking stewards to call workplace meetings were possible and feed back; taking advantage of any branch meetings called.

It is important that the question is addressed of what happens next, on return from Manchester, if the ‘package' deal is rejected.

Clearly the Regional Delegate meeting in Manchester on Sunday 13 April at 6pm will consider matters further.

"We have had several enquiries during the last 24 hours on whether the proposed agreement could be accepted for year 1 only.

The proposed agreement is not divisible. In securing this agreement which makes progress on UNISON's objectives for the low paid and to reduce incremental points in large bands, UNISON has also sought to avoid a repeat of last year when the pay award was staged in England.

The Government have made it clear that if the proposed agreement were rejected they would reconsider their position on the NHSPRB recommendation. They have not explicitly threatened staging but it is obviously a high risk.

Therefore the choice will be acceptance or rejection.

If the proposed agreement is accepted, it will provide the mechanism for further negotiations on the reduction in incremental points in pay bands, the reduction in the working week and increases for the lowest paid.

If the proposed agreement is rejected, the four governments will decide their position on the year 2008/2009. There will be no guarantee of further negotiations on pay, restructuring or the working week.

It is therefore important that SGE members and branch delegates at Conference next week, who are considering voting for a rejectionist position, also consider whether they can deliver effective industrial action from members to secure a higher pay award.

Branches are asked to hold meetings of members and stewards before the end of this week to consider whether they believe members would be prepared to take effective industrial action to fight for a higher pay award in the event that UNISON rejects the proposed agreement."

John Gallacher
Secretary
Scottish Health Committee

Important Documents

1. The proposed notes of pay and percentage increases for the three year period (pdf)

2. The proposed agreement ‘at a glance' (pdf)

3. The proposed new trade union facilities agreement (Word Doc)

4. The statement on Improving Working Lives and well-being at work (Word Doc)

5. Letter from Scottish Government re Scottish NHS Pay (Word Doc)

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