UNISON HEALTHCARE - BRANCH UPDATE

From: Karen Jennings, UNISON National Secretary - Health
BRIEFING HC-001-11
12 January 2011
NHS Employers proposal rejected
Who needs to know? All Health Branches
Summary: An emergency meeting of the Health Service Group Executive Committee voted to reject NHS Employers proposals on a halt to incremental pay progression for two years in exchange for a no compulsory redundancy guarantee in England. As the union's focus now moves to resisting local attempts by employers to impose inferior pay, terms and conditions, it's key that branches report any such employer led drive to your regional organiser so that support can be co-ordinated. To read the full story, see attached briefing HC-001-11.
In full:
I wrote to all branches on the 14th December 2010 (HC-125-10) enclosing a copy of proposals tabled by NHS Employers
In summary the proposal, that would have applied in English Trusts only, was that in return for agreement to freeze all (incremental) pay progression for 2 years, the employers would offer a deal that would provide a no compulsory redundancy guarantee for all staff on Bands 1 - 6, action to avoid redundancy for others, no changes to Agenda for Change, and a potential deferment of the 1% rise in employee pensions contributions. The proposal was for a framework agreement and implementation of the ‘deal' would require the agreement of the local NHS Trust and local staff side.
The UNISON Health Service Group Executive met on the 10th January 2011 and voted to reject the proposal.
The main reasons why the proposal was rejected were as follows:
That they could not support a further pay freeze health staff, many of whom are low paid and are mainly women workers. The funding gap in the NHS is so great that members were sceptical that Trusts would abide by a no compulsory redundancy agreement for two years.
Contact UNISON on 0845 355 0845 or visit www.unison.org.uk
Additionally they felt that the proposal was divisive because it excluded Band 7 - 9 staff.
There is clearly now a risk the local employers will endeavour to negotiate or impose changes to pay, terms and conditions at local level. Branches are asked not to enter into negotiations to worsen pay, terms and conditions and to resist any attempt by employers to impose such changes.
Branches should inform their Regional Organiser should there be such local developments. Nationally, we are keen also to monitor such developments so that we can provide support and co-ordination as appropriate.
Author: Email:
Mike Jackson m.jackson@unison

UNISON HEALTHCARE - BRANCH UPDATE

From: Karen Jennings, UNISON National Secretary - Health
BRIEFING HC-002-11
12 January 2011 Our NHS Our Future campaign steps up a gear
Who needs to know? England only
Summary: As the government prepares to publish its Health Bill, it's time to step up the campaign against the Tory led attacks on the NHS in England set out in its white paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS." UNISON has already led a major fight back against the proposals, but take a look at the full briefing attached (HC-002-11) for a host of new ideas for branches to get involved, including the critical push for branches and members to lobby local MPs.
In full: The campaign against the Tory led government's white paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" is starting to heat up and UNISON is taking a lead in the campaign against the reforms that are outlined in the white paper.
What happens next?
We expect the Health Bill to be published within the next week. It is the largest Bill to be presented before parliament and it is estimated it will take five months to get through the House of Commons. UNISON is working with a key group of MPs to criticise and influence the government's proposed policy.
Now is the time to step up our campaign and for branches and members to get in touch with local community groups and their MPs. Over the next few weeks there will be weekly circulars outlining materials that have been developed and sharing the latest campaign news and ideas.
What has been UNISON's response to the white paper?
Here is a brief update of the work that UNISON has been doing:- Took a judicial review out against the government which exposed the lack of consultation around the white paper. This judicial review acted as a catalyst for more criticism around the white paper and the reforms that Health Secretary Andrew Lansley is trying to bring in.
Contact UNISON on 0845 355 0845 or visit www.unison.org.uk
Launched Our NHS Our Future campaign as part of a Million Voices campaign Produced a range of campaign resources including a facebook group www.facebook.com/ournhs/ourfuture , briefings, leaflets, posters, work placeposters, model letters to MPs & GPs and a PowerPoint which can be used at branch AGMs and workplace meetings. Working with a number of key charity and voluntary sector organisations around the white paper. Working with opposition MPs to criticise and campaign against the white paper. At a local level many branches are running their own campaigns and have been working with the local community to raise awareness around the white paper reforms and the danger that they pose to the future of our NHS. Reported to the government's health select committee which enabled much of Stephen Dorrell's critique of the reforms and Lansley. Responded to the white paper throughout the general and health media. Many of the articles can be viewed at www.facebook.com/ournhs/ourfuture Given presentations and spoken in numerous different arenas including at Labour Party meetings, Socialist Health Association conference, Regional Health Committees and conferences. Planning to organise a health rally about the reforms and cuts at UNISON health conference 2011. The campaign will be the central focus of UNISON health conference 2011 and we will be holding workshops on ways to organise against the reforms and cuts. Influenced the government through the white paper consultation. Our response convinced the government to change aspects of overview and scrutiny.
What can branches do?
Listed below are a range of activities that branches can carry out but at this time we would encourage branches to write to their MPs. We believe that the most important thing is for you to be out there talking to members, workers and the public about the campaign and asking them to get in touch with their MP. Now is the time to have the conversation with people about what the government's plans could mean for the future of our NHS. Ask members to write letters to their MP to seek support for our campaign. You can use the model letter at http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp Lobby your MP and ask members to lobby as well. The most effective way of doing this is face to face so arrange a meeting with key members at your MP's surgery. Sign up to the Million Voices campaign and leave us a message telling us why working for the NHS matters to you www.unison.org.uk/million Organise a workplace meeting where you can show the Our NHS Our Future PowerPoint www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp Email in your latest campaign updates, photos and videos to ournhs@unison.co.uk Order the "More than just a brand" our response to the white paper by emailing ournhs@unison.co.uk Download the factsheet about what is happening to the NHS from http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp Ask members to write letters to their GPs to initiate discussions within patient forums / groups http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp Order Our NHS Our Future campaign leaflets, placards and workplace posters http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/docs_list.asp
Contact UNISON on 0845 355 0845 or visit www.unison.org.uk
Keep up to date with the latest campaign news by visiting the campaign website http://www.unison.org.uk/ournhs/ Get in touch with your regional office, let them know what is happening in your branch and find out what is happening in your region. Hold one-to-one conversations with workers, members and members of the public on the campaign. Make links with your MP and local councillors; Labour constituency groups, local patient groups, community groups and ask them to support the campaign. Join the Our NHS Our Future facebook group http://www.facebook.com/ournhsourfuture Join us on the TUC march for the alternative on 26th March 2011. Find out more here http://action.unison.org.uk/page/content/march/
Author: Email:
Sian Davis s.davies@unison.co.uk