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Ballot decision deferred pending last-ditch talks
(6/07/07) UNISON has deferred any trigger for a ballot over health pay, after the new UK health secretary, Alan Johnson, agreed to re-open talks.
Discussions with the department of health are planned for 9 July and possibly 18 July, after which the negotiating team will report back to the service group executive at the end of July.
If there is no improved offer at that time, then the service group executive is likely to press ahead with a September ballot for industrial action.
UNISON national officer for health Mike Jackson said: "We very much welcome these last ditch talks to avert industrial action. Living costs have risen far faster than the paltry pay offer on the table and our health workers are underpaid as it is.
"They simply cannot afford to accept the offer on the table as it stands."
In Wales, health minister Edwina Hart has announced that nurses in the country will get the full pay award recommended by the Independent Pay Review Body.
This means that they will receive an unstaged pay increase of 2.5 per cent this year.
Yesterday's announcement means that the recommended pay award will be backdated to 1 April.
Ms Hart said: "I have made clear since I became health minister that nurses deserve and should have their pay in full.
"For pay reviews to be credible, employees have to have the confidence in the system and in its outcome. I remain a strong supporter of the national collective decision-making process and will not depart from taking part in this process.
"This will not just be about settling with nurses, as other groups are involved as well, including ancillary, administrative and clerical staff, support services including catering, estates and maintenance, hotel services, security, supplies, and so on.
"They are all important, and it would not be proper for me to consider the pay of just one group."
In Scotland, regional officer John Gallacher said: "UNISON in Scotland has sought a negotiated settlement by all means possible. We have today written to Scottish cabinet secretary for health Nicola Sturgeon to urge the Scottish government to have a positive input to these remaining UK talks, particularly around the issue of low pay.
"We would welcome further talks with the deputy first minister following failed talks with her officials."
An earlier decision by Ms Sturgeon to impose the 2.5% increase without agreement has angered the unions.
Chair of UNISON Scottish health group Tom Waterson said: "Problems of low pay have been identified and acknowledged in the NHS, but this settlement does nothing to address this. A pay increase of less than £6 per week is an insult to our low-paid members."
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