21.01.15
NHS pay negotiations go into second day
Further talks are to be held today between the government and unions in an attempt to avert next week’s planned strike action by thousands of NHS workers in their bitter dispute over pay.
Last night officials from several unions met with the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, to negotiate on pay. However, it was stated that the minister had not committed to more money for pay.
There was, however, some hope for a potential resolution as Unison's head of health, Christina McAnea, said: “I think it’s a welcome sign that we have at last got the chance to have these more serious and sensible discussions.”
She added that union leaders would meet today at lunchtime to discuss ‘emergency cover’ during the proposed strike action, which involves a 12-hour walkout on Thursday 29 January, a 24-hour strike on Wednesday 25 February and work-to-rule in between.
The unions are taking the action over the government’s decision to reject a 1% pay rise for NHS staff, which was recommended by the independent Pay Review Body last year.
Following this afternoon’s meeting, the union officials will then hold further talks with the health secretary this evening.
McAnea added: “We share the government’s concerns about patient safety and hope we can have sensible discussions on how to resolve this dispute.
“But it is good that we are still talking about trying to find a way to resolve the pay issue and maintain staffing levels.”
It has been reported that the health secretary, after receiving a letter from NHS England, wrote to the unions about “their [NHS England’s] concerns that your current plans will pose a real risk that patients with life-threatening conditions are harmed”.
In particular, Hunt has urged that unions call off plans for a 12-hour strike of ambulance workers that he said would “affect patient safety to an unacceptable level”.
The industrial action planned by Unison, Unite and GMB means ambulance crews will strike from noon until midnight on Thursday 29 January, while hospital workers will walk out from 9am to 9pm on the same day.
Responding to the talks, NHS Employers stated that it welcomed talks between the health secretary and unions, which aim to ensure patient safety is maintained during periods of industrial action.
The organisation’s new head, Danny Mortimer, said: “Employers are already preparing to minimise disruption to patients during next week’s action.
“We continue to believe that striking isn’t the right solution and only disrupts and distresses patients. We need to find a way to resolve this dispute with a long term sustainable plan, which takes us past this period of pay restraint.”
Rehana Azam, GMB national officer, stated that the union welcomed last night’s meeting, which was the “first opportunity to have talks with the secretary of state for health to see if we can avert the strikes in the NHS”.
(Image source: Stefan Rousseau/PA wire)
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