30.08.12
Staff protest against ‘pay cartel’ in the South West
Over 20,000 NHS staff have signed a national petition against the introduction of regional pay. Campaigners in the South West argue it will cut staff pay.
A group of trusts in the area have formed a consortium to fix terms and conditions for the region’s health workers, including proposals to cut sick pay, reduce the working week and cut unsocial hours pay by 10%. The union Unison has branded the consortium a “pay cartel”.
Staff are expected to stage another protest in Exeter on Tuesday.
Sarah Woodward, Unison area organiser, said: “There is a lot of support from members of the public for our cause which we will fight all the way. The pay cartel is bad news for low-paid areas like the South West and staff are understandably worried. There is no way we want a postcode pay deal. We now need the powers-that-be to hear us.”
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust responded in a statement: “We, like all trusts in the consortium, are totally committed to engaging with staff and local unions throughout the period in which the full business case is produced, and beyond.
“It is important to stress that no recommendations or proposals have been put forward, nor have any decisions been made.
“We will discuss any proposal with all our staff and trades unions to ensure that any decision we make is the right one and that our staff understand the facts behind the decision.”
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