07.05.15
Trust created PLC to pay NHS staff less, says union
An NHS trust in Surrey could transfer its staff to a newly created private limited company in order to pay them less than required under Agenda for Change, a union is warning.
The GMB union is warning that the creation SABP Care Ltd, a new company set up by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, could result in a two-tiered workforce and see some staff forced into working for reduced pay and conditions.
The trust says that the GMB assumptions are “unfounded” and that they have “absolutely no plans to transfer our NHS staff to a private company”.
A draft contract of employment from the new company details a basic wage that receives no additional supplements for evening, night or weekend work and the rate for working a public holiday would be basic pay plus 25%.
The contract adds: “The Organisation reserves the right to alter or amend your terms and conditions, from time to time and will provide you with notification of such changes in writing.”
Under the Agenda for Change agreement the payment for NHS staff who work evenings, nights or Saturdays ranges from basic pay plus 30% to plus 50%, depending on the pay band. For Sundays and public holidays it ranges from time plus 60% to double time.
The union believes that up to 2,500 staff could be transferred to the new company under these reduced pay conditions.
Paul Maloney, GMB southern regional secretary, said: “The trust board were told that the aim of this wholly owned subsidiary is to achieve success in growing new services and markets. GMB is far from convinced that this is the real aim.
“GMB see this as potentially enabling the transfer of 2,500 NHS staff who could be forced into a two tier workforce situation and eventually into a reduced terms and conditions contract of employment.
“GMB will vigorously oppose any back door privatisation and we will defend the NHS and employee terms and conditions.”
SAPB Care Ltd was registered as a private limited company on 9 May 2014. It is wholly owned by Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust and the two directors are the trust chief executive and health service manager.
The stated aim of the company is to grow new services and markets.
Surrey and Borders Partnership chief executive, Fiona Edwards, said: “The GMB assumptions are totally unfounded and we have absolutely no plans to transfer our NHS staff to our private company. In fact, we are committed to remaining with the national NHS terms and conditions for our Surrey and Borders Partnership employees following discussions with staff last year.
“We registered SABP Care Ltd in 2014 with the aim of achieving success in growing new services and markets. Currently we are exploring several opportunities to provide non NHS funded services both nationally and internationally but have yet to employ anyone in the company.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]