Category: Sara Gorton

The strike planned for next Wednesday involving thousands of ambulance staff and other NHS workers has been suspended to allow UNISON to enter pay talks with the government, the union said today (Friday).

Following a meeting of its health committee this afternoon, UNISON announced it was suspending the action scheduled for 8 March.

The decision was taken after the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed there would be additional investment in pay for both this year (2022/23) and next (2023/24).

UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Unions said all along they could pause strikes if ministers would only commit to formal talks to boost pay for this year.

“The government has finally promised extra investment in pay for both this and next year.

“The sad thing is this could all have been handled so differently. Proper pay talks should have started months ago, long before the first strike was called. That would have avoided days of disruption for the NHS and its patients.

“Whether the talks signal the beginning of the end of the current dispute will emerge in the coming days. If a deal can be reached, strikes can end and everyone can work together again to ensure the NHS gets back on track.

“However, when we get in the room, we’ll quickly learn whether the talks can be meaningful. If not, UNISON will be forced to resume strike action. Nobody wants that.”

Both GMB and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy have also suspended their action and will join the NHS staff council talks.

Notes to editors: 
– UNISON’s strike on Wednesday would have involved up to 32,000 NHS employees working for a multitude of organisations across England. Due to walk out were staff at NHS Blood and Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital and the Bridgewater Community Trust. They would have been joined by ambulance staff at all but one of the ambulance services in England.
– UNISON ambulance workers took strike action on 21 December, 11 and 23 January, and 10 February. Health workers at two Liverpool trusts (the University Hospitals Trust and the city’s Heart and Chest Hospital) walked out on 21 December and 23 January. Staff at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also went on strike on 17 January.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector. It has more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
– The NHS staff council is made up of representatives from health unions, NHS employers, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England.

Media contacts: 
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article UNISON to suspend strike to enter NHS pay talks with government  first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The government’s failure to hold pay talks with every organisation representing striking NHS workers in England is unacceptable, ill-considered, and has potentially perilous consequences, health unions warn today (Monday). 

The chair and secretary of the union side of the NHS staff council have written to Steve Barclay on behalf of health unions, raising concerns about the government’s handling of the pay dispute. 

The group of 13 unions includes four – UNISON, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, GMB and Unite – that are currently involved in industrial action over NHS pay, staffing and patient care. 

In the letter, the unions urge caution over the government’s decision to hold unilateral talks with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and say the approach risks prolonging the strikes.  

Worse still, the unions say, the solo talks move threatens the future of the Agenda for Change pay system covering all NHS staff, aside from doctors and dentists. 

The letter states that the government should have done things properly and held pay negotiations through the NHS staff council, as has happened previously. This is made up of unions representing all health service workers, NHS employers, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England. 

The unions remind the health secretary that those with live strike mandates have made clear that action could be paused in return for talks with an upfront agreement to improve pay for 2022-23. But only the RCN has received such an offer.

Any deal with the RCN could have implications for Agenda for Change pay bands and other contract issues for which the NHS staff council is responsible. By choosing to hold talks with just one union, the government runs several risks according to the letter: 

• Ministers might agree a deal with the RCN, but then find it can’t be delivered because the content is unacceptable to other unions.
• Ministers shouldn’t assume that what was enough to persuade the RCN to pause its action and enter talks would be sufficient to allow other striking unions to do the same. This means the government could commit the cash for a pay deal yet strikes involving other NHS workers continue.
• Any deal with one union could be seen as a deliberate attempt to rip up the established Agenda for Change system, which would be met with a robust response from unions.

The letter calls on Steve Barclay to explain how he intends to turn any agreement the government hopes to reach with the RCN into an offer it can put to unions representing other NHS staff still on strike. 

Chair of the NHS group of unions and UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “Strikes across the NHS won’t end until ministers hold proper pay talks with all unions involved in action.

“Attempting a deal with just one solves nothing. And it certainly risks prolonging the dispute. 

“Uncompetitive pay is a key factor behind record vacancy rates affecting all areas of the NHS workforce, not just nursing. And nurses belong to other unions too. 

“Most NHS staff are on Agenda for Change contracts. Preferential treatment for nurses in one union risks wrecking a pay system that’s worked well for almost 20 years. 

“If that happens, ministers would be creating a nightmare scenario for the NHS. Instead of negotiating with all NHS workers at the same time, employers would have to speak to multiple groups.  

“This would be yet another headache for an NHS struggling to get back on its feet and deliver for patients.” 

Secretary of the NHS group of unions and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy assistant director of employment relations Elaine Sparkes said: “The government is playing a dangerous game. Ministers’ clumsy attempts to stop the strikes so far have done more damage than good.  

“But all’s not lost. There’s still time to call everyone in, share details of the new offer being discussed with the RCN and allow staff, employers and unions to concentrate on getting the NHS back on track.” 

Notes to editors: 
The letter to Steve Barclay is signed by Sara Gorton and Elaine Sparkes, the chair and secretary of the union side of the NHS staff council, on behalf of the British Association of Occupational Therapists, British Dietetic Association, British Orthoptic Society, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Podiatry, Federation of Clinical Scientists, GMB, Managers in Partnership, Prison Officers Association, Royal College of Midwives, Society of Radiographers, UNISON and Unite.

Media contacts: 
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk 
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Solo pay talks could have serious consequences for the NHS first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Commenting on the pay offer today (Friday) from the Welsh government offering NHS workers an additional 3% this year, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:

“This ramps up the pressure on the prime minister significantly. Political leaders in Scotland and now in Wales are making the Westminster government look decidedly mean and totally out of touch.

“Rishi Sunak says he’d love to give health workers a pay rise yet claims he can’t. But he can and he should. If he doesn’t, NHS strikes will continue across England for months.

“Staff and patients in England deserve much better treatment from a prime minister who insists the NHS is one of his top priorities.

“Both Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford have chosen to do more for their NHS staff this year. The prime minister should stop with the lame excuses and follow the lead of Holyrood and the Senedd.

“Rishi Sunak must now invite health unions in for genuine pay talks. Other UK governments have shown it’s possible to invest in the NHS workforce. It’s high time this happened in England too.”

Notes to editors:

– UNISON’s health committee will now meet to discuss the Welsh government’s offer in more detail before putting it out to consultation with its members in the NHS. The re-ballot of staff in the Welsh Ambulance Service will continue and closes on 16 February.
– Next week, there’s only one day (Wednesday) where there won’t be a strike involving NHS workers in England. On Monday Royal College of Nursing (RCN), GMB and Unite members will go on strike, followed by a second day of action from the RCN on Tuesday 7. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is calling its members out on Thursday, and the day after up to 15,000 UNISON ambulance staff walk out across five ambulance services in England.
– UNISON is also re-balloting workers at the remaining five ambulance services in England (South East Coast, South Central, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands) as well as in the Welsh Ambulance Service. This vote began on 6 January and ends 16 February. Also being re-balloted are UNISON members at NHS Blood and Transplant, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool Women’s Hospital and the North West-based Bridgewater Community Trust.
– UNISON ambulance workers took strike action on 21 December, and again on 11 and 23 January. Friday 10 February is their fourth day of action. Health workers at two Liverpool trusts (the University Hospitals Trust and the city’s Heart and Chest Hospital) first walked out on 21 December and on 23 January. Staff at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence also went on strike on 17 January.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector. It has more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Welsh government NHS pay move ramps up the pressure on the PM, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Commenting on Mark Drakeford’s offer today (Thursday) of additional money for health workers across Wales, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:

“This significantly ups the pressure on Westminster. Rishi Sunak must now explain why the first ministers in Scotland and Wales can dig deep for NHS staff, but his government can’t.

“The latest NHS England figures show ambulance delays and waiting times in A&E are the worst ever, leaving the prime minister and the chancellor with nowhere to hide.

“Unless ministers move quickly to boost pay for health workers in England, it’ll be plain to the public the government isn’t interested in improving patient care.

“Longer waits for ambulances and in A&E departments are inevitable if the NHS doesn’t get more staff. Better wages are the key to that.

“The tone in parts of government changed this week with a new willingness to talk about pay. It’s time for the prime minister to show he values the NHS by funding the pay rise needed to end the disputes and get the NHS back on track.”

Notes to editors:

– Ambulance staff belonging to UNISON took strike action yesterday (Wednesday) at five services in England – London, Yorkshire, the North West, North East and South West – over pay and staffing. The next strike is planned for Monday 23 January. The union is also re-balloting ambulance workers at five ambulance services in England (South East Coast, South Central, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands) and the Welsh Ambulance Service. This began on 6 January and continues until Monday 16 February.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Press contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

 

The article Welsh government’s NHS pay move increases pressure on Westminster, says UNISON  first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Health unions won’t be submitting joint evidence to the NHS pay review body for the next wage round while the current industrial disputes remain unresolved, it has been announced today (Wednesday).

Instead, the 14 unions – representing more than one million ambulance staff, nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and other NHS workers in England – have called for direct pay talks with ministers.

Unions believe the lengthy pay review body process is not able to deliver what is needed right now. That’s a deal that resolves the current pay and staffing dispute and puts in place a settlement needed to get the NHS back on track.

In the current economic climate, it would be far better if NHS pay negotiations could be convened involving unions, employers and ministers, say the unions.

This should ensure a speedier outcome, and one that could deliver the kind of settlement necessary to turn the NHS staffing crisis around.

The deadline for submitting evidence for the 2022/23 pay year was the end of last January. But it was almost six months later when ministers made public their acceptance of the review body’s £1,400 flat-rate rise. By then inflation had gone through the roof, say unions.

The unions have now decided against a formal collective submission to the pay review body this year, preferring the more direct approach of talks with ministers.

Evidence for the 2023/24 pay round is meant to be submitted today (11 January). Instead, the NHS unions have collated the case for investment in NHS pay into a publicly available document. This outlines the necessity of investment in pay and staffing to the health service, its staff, patients and the wider economy.

Chair of the NHS group of unions and UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “The pay review body process doesn’t fit the current context.

“The NHS staffing crisis is so acute only prompt action on pay – both for this and the next financial year – can start to turn things around.

“The public knows ambulance response times are worsening and hospital waiting lists growing because the NHS no longer has the necessary staff to meet demand, nor provide safe patient care.

“Ministers must seize the initiative, get everyone around the table and negotiate a way to the best deal for staff, patients and services.”

Secretary of the NHS group of unions and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy assistant director of employment relations Elaine Sparkes said: “Solving the pay dispute, getting vacancy rates down and providing better patient care must be the government’s number one priority.

“But even if the review body process were to be hurried along as the health secretary says he’s keen to do, it would still take too long.

“Speed is of the essence, as is ensuring wages are high enough for the NHS to retain experienced staff and attract new recruits. Only direct talks can achieve that.”

Notes to editors:

– The 14 NHS unions are: British Association of Occupational Therapists, British Dietetic Association, British Orthoptic Society, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Royal College of Podiatry, Federation of Clinical Scientists, GMB, Managers in Partnership, Prison Officers Association, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Nursing, Society of Radiographers, UNISON and Unite.
– The executive of the NHS group of unions consists of: Sara Gorton, chair and head of health, UNISON; Elaine Sparkes, secretary and assistant director of employment relations, CSP; Alice Sorby, treasurer and director of employment relations, Royal College of Midwives; Jo Galbraith-Marten, director of legal services & employment relations, Royal College of Nursing; Colenzo Jarrett-Thorpe, national officer for health, Unite; Rachel Harrison, national secretary, GMB.
– The document setting out the case for investment in NHS pay is available here.

Media contacts:
UNISON M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
CSP M: 07917 091200 E: press.office@csp.org.uk
RCM T: 0207 312 3456 E: media@rcm.org.uk
RCN T: 0207 647 3633 E: mediateamhq@rcn.org.uk
Unite T: 07976 832861 E: pauline.doyle@unitetheunion.org
GMB M: 07813 542050 E: press.office@gmb.org.uk

The article Ongoing disputes make it impossible to submit evidence to NHS pay review body, say health unions  first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Reacting to the Prime Minister’s comments today (Sunday) ahead of tomorrow’s meeting between health unions, NHS employers and the secretary of state, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:

“Health workers will be hoping the Prime Minister’s comments mean the talks can go beyond hearing solely about the pay review body evidence for the year from April.

“The earliest that process could finish is months away in May. The health secretary needs to set out what the government can do right now to prevent the dispute from continuing.

“Making a firm commitment to boost wages for what’s left of the current year would mean unions may call off the strikes.

“There could then be negotiations to secure the kind of pay deal the NHS needs to get  back on track and provide safe patient care. This is all anyone wants.”

Notes to editors
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article A commitment to boost wages would mean unions may call off the strikes, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Commenting on new figures published today (Thursday) that show NHS vacancies across England have reached a record high, UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said:

“These figures paint a bleak picture of the state of the NHS. There are too few staff to provide safe patient care, and as more leave for better paid work, so waiting times and delays worsen. 

“The government must get a grip, take the dispute seriously and start talking to unions about pay. Then there’ll be no need for strikes and everyone’s focus can be on working together to get the NHS back on track.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk

The article Government must resolve NHS pay dispute as waiting lists keep growing, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Sunday 4 December 2022
For immediate release

Start pay talks to stop NHS strikes this winter says UNISON

Commenting on comments made by Conservative Party chairman Nadhim Zahawi earlier today (Sunday), UNISON head of health Sara Gorton said: “The government can easily prevent strikes across the NHS this winter. Steve Barclay simply has to start talking to unions about increasing NHS staff pay.

“But instead of taking responsibility for trying to solve the growing staffing crisis, ministers want to ratchet up the rhetoric and pick fights with ambulance workers and their NHS colleagues.

“This won’t go down well with the public. People have lots of sympathy for health workers and know that if wages improve so will vacancy rates and patient care.

“The Scottish government has averted strikes by talking to health unions and boosting pay. Ministers in Westminster should do the very same.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Start pay talks to stop NHS strikes this winter, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.