Technicians have been waiting patiently (in most cases) for the results of the internal Agenda for Change review of the Technician role that was started under the old Westcountry procedures. Members will be aware that the UNISON branch has consistently rejected the outcomes that have been reached by various A4C Job Evaluation panels. We have done so in the honest belief that the outcomes did not reflect the true value of the work carried out by our Technicians within the service locally.

 Following the latest consistency panel, which is the final stage of the internal process, agreement was reached on all but one factor in the evaluation. We were unable to come to a consensus on this one outstanding issue. We have therefore agreed that this factor and this factor only, will be sent to an outside panel. In line with the A4C process, this will be arranged for us by the Strategic Health Authority. Jointly we will send all the information that the panel will need to come to an informed decision. National advice was sought about the correct procedure and in partnership we will formulate the evidence that the panel will consider.

 This is the last possible evaluation in the A4C procedure. Both ourselves and management have had to concede that we will be bound by its outcome, as have many other services who have had to revert to an outside panel.

 This has been a long drawn out process and we have been at times criticised for the time scales. However, we were not willing to accept, at any stage, an outcome that did not correctly reflect what we as a branch believe to be the true worth of this central role in our service. We are happy to accept criticism if we are genuinely at fault but we know that we would have faced far more and more ferocious criticism if we had accepted the outcomes which undervalued our staff. We are convinced that we have worked at all times in the interests of our membership. Many other services have accepted well before now and most remaining in band 4. We know that the outcome now depends on someone else and is beyond our control but at least we have kept your hopes alive using every possible avenue.

- Ian Hopkins, Branch Secretary