University Hospitals Birmingham UNISON

Today (29/07/10) the Branch Committee heard about major concerns about the Government's white paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. Sounds like a nice titled but the danger is that it could be as liberating as a lethal injection to the NHS we all care about. Under its proposals the NHS will become little more than a logo, with GPs calling the shots locally and commissioning services often from the private sector.  For those that get to stay within the NHS, our terms and conditions could be slashed and pay determined locally which will only make things worse not better.  Sharon Otto, Branch Secretary will be attending a special meeting in the Regional Office to hear more about the proposals for UNISON's Head of Health Karen Jennings and look at how we respond. This will be fed back to the Branch.

It was also agreed that as there had been concerns raised by a number of members about changes to local bus services, and specifically the withdrawal of the 21, that we would support work being done by the West Midlands Campaign for Better Transport. There is a petition that is being circulated by reps. Please get in touch for a copy.

It was also agreed to send members who work as Nursing Auxiliaries to UNISON's Healthcare Assistants' Conference on the 21st September. For details contact the Branch Secretary.

The Branch also agreed to nominate Graham Smith for the Young Members Seat and Carol Sewell for the West Midlands (female) seat in the National Executive Council by-elections.

Branch Committee meets on the last Thursday of every month at 10am in the Joint Union Office at Selly Oak Hospital. For more information contact James Anthony, Branch Chair

UHB UNISON's Branch Committee heard feedback from our reps in departments across the Trust on the new hospital issues. These include issues with the supply of medicines, problems switchboard and people not knowing extension numbers, problems with lifts, flooding issues in the basement, staff with different working practices that have not been brought together, and staff facilities such as fridges being inadequate. Working with partner unions we are compiling a list of issues to take forward with the New Hospital Team and senior managers.

Of most immediate concern are issues that porters are facing, with not enough staff to cover the large site and a feeling that the organisation has completely fallen appart. Portering is a vital service which means patients and materials get to the right place at the right time and members in portering and clinical staff are concerned that patient care is being affected.

Branch Secretary, Sharon Otto has contacted the appropriate manager to seek urgent resolution, and has made sure the the appropriate Trust Executives are aware.  We also want the workforce levels reviewed so that there are enough staff for the future and for the there to be a meeting so that managers can hear straight from the staff affected.

The meeting also heard from Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Roger Godsiff and had a very interesting discussion about the election and the way forward for public services.  Roger told the committee that he is keen to support us on any issues we have, and having been a Trade Union Official decribed himself very much as a 'union man'.

The meeting also heard of the announcements in the Budget that pay for those earning above £21000 in the public sector would have their pay frozen (and it is not yet clear whether this includes increments), that our pensions are going to be reviewed which is likely to lead to an attack on the final salary scheme, and that for current and future pensions once you retire it would only go up by CPI not RPI (as CPI tends to be lower). 

Branch Committee meets on the last Thursday of every month at 10am in the Joint Union Office at Selly Oak Hospital. For more information contact James Anthony, Branch Chair