 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
 |
2007/2008 PAY ROUND
EXPLANATION AND UNISON TIMETABLE.
Karen Jennings the National Secretary for the UNISON Health group has written to all health branches with information regarding the 2007/2008 pay round.
In view of the problems experienced at the Pay Negotiations Council (PNC) in the 2006 / 2007 pay round discussions, and in line with Health Conference 2006 policy, UNISON'S consultation with members covered by both the PNC and the Nursing and Other Health Professions Review Body (NOHPRB) will run together. This will apply wherever possible, including consulting on the formulation of the PNC claim and submission of NOHPRB evidence and on subsequent outcomes.
It is important that members and activists are aware of the key consultation periods and deadlines for both processes in advance, as in running a tighter timetable there is less flexibility in accommodating input and feedback outside of the scheduled dates.
The UNISON timetable for the 2007/2008 pay round is attached, together with a brief note on the PNC and NOHPRB processes. Updates to the timetable will be circulated and posted on the website in the event that key dates are subject to change.
Explanatory Note
Agenda for Change (AfC) provides for uniform pay rates across the NHS based on the pay band that jobs have been placed in through the AfC job evaluation scheme. However, the methods of determining annual increases to those pay rates are still based on pre-AfC systems. Addressing this anomaly is a priority issue of the NHS Staff Council as well as UNISON but until a system covering all NHS Staff subject to Agenda for Change has been agreed the following processes will apply.
Pay Negotiating Council (PNC).
This body has been set up to provide a mechanism for determining pay and related conditions of service issues for those staff previously covered by NHS Whitley Council arrangements and which are not incorporated within the Nursing and Other Health Professionals Review Body. In short these currently comprise:
• Ancillary, maintenance and craft,
• Admin and Clerical,
• Estates staff,
• Senior Managers.
The PNC process by and large should mirror the old Whitley arrangements in that a claim is lodged on behalf of all staff, the employer responds, negotiations take place and an offer is made by the employer on which members are consulted.
Nursing and other Health Professions Review Body (NOHPRB).
There are a number of independent Pay Review Bodies (PRB's) that make recommendations on pay rates for public sector staff including teachers, the civil service, police and armed forces, as well as health professions. The work of these review bodies is supported by the Office of Manpower Economics (OME).
The Nursing and Other Health Professionals Review Body (NOHPRB) terms of reference are as follows:
"The Review Body for nursing staff and other health professions is independent. Its role is to make recommendations to the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Health, the First Minister and the Minister for Health and Community Care of the Scottish Parliament and the First Minister and the Minister for Health and Social Services in the National Assembly for Wales on the remuneration of the following staff groups employed in the National Health Service:
(i) Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors;
(ii) Ambulance Paramedics and Technicians (incorporated 2005/06)
(Hi) The Allied Health Professions;
(iv) The Health Care Science Professions;
(v) Pharmacists, Optometrists, Applied Psychologists and Psychotherapists;
(vi) Clinical Support workers and technicians supporting these groups.
"In reaching its recommendations, the Review Body is to have regard to the following considerations:
• the need to recruit, retain and motivate suitably able and qualified staff;
• regional/local variations in labour markets and their effects on the recruitment and retention of staff;
• the Health Departments' output targets for the delivery of services, as set out by the Government;
• the funds available to the Health Departments as set out in the Government's Departmental Expenditure Limits;
• the Government's inflation target;
• the principle of equal pay for work of equal value in the NHS.
"The Review Body may also be asked to consider other specific issues.
"The Review Body is also required to take careful account of the economic and other evidence submitted by the Government, staff and professional representatives and others.
"The Review Body should take account of the legal obligations on the NHS, including anti-discrimination legislation regarding age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and belief and disability.
"Reports and recommendations should be submitted jointly to the Secretary of State for Health, the First Minister and the Minister for Health and Community Care of the Scottish Parliament and the First Minister and the Minister for Health and Social Services of the National Assembly for Wales and the Prime Minister."
"The NOHPRB considers the following issues:
• the need to recruit, retain and motivate suitably able and qualified staff;
• regional/local variations in labour markets and their effects on the recruitment and retention of staff;
• the Health Departments' output targets for the delivery of services, as set out by the Government;
• the funds available to the Health Departments as set out in the Government's Departmental Expenditure Limits;
• the Government's inflation target;
• the principle of equal pay for work of equal value in the NHS.
• The Review Body may also be asked to consider other specific issues.
• The Review Body is also required to take careful account of the economic and other evidence submitted by the Government, staff and professional representatives and others."
Further information on the NOHPRB is available on the OME website at www.ome.uk.com.