University Hospitals Birmingham UNISON

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Home Pay, Pensions, Terms and Conditions
Pay, Pensions Terms and Conditions

Increments Safe for now - UNISON holds off unfair proposals

Working together with the other unions at the Trust, UNISON's negotiaters have effectively defended the Agenda for Change agreement.

After all the unions rejected proposals to stop pay progression for staff due to issues such as sickness absence or disciplinary penalties, the Trust had been set to impose these changes from the 1st September leading to significant conflict with unions and staff.

However in a letter signed today by Tim Jones, Executive Director for Delivery and UNISON Branch Secretary Sharon Otto, as Chair of Staff Side, these proposals are now on hold.

This follows from the Trust Partnership Team meeting (where elected Staff Side reps meet with the Trust's senior management to negotiate and consult) last Wednesday.  The Trust agreed with UNISON and other unions that in relation to stopping increments for sickness absence, disciplinary action, or where staff are being performance managed that this cannot be looked at until the legal position on this is clarified as there is currently a similar case going to Employment Tribunal.  In the ET, UNISON along with other unions are taking cases against a Trust in the North West who implimented similar proposals that we believe breach the Agenda for Change agreement.

UNISON remains opposed to these proposals and welcomes the Trust's approach in allowing more time for consideration about these significant proposals.

The unions did agree to have discussion on defering pay progression, but are clear that is can be only where it is allowed for in the national A4C agreement. UNISON will be consulting with members before anything is agreed.

This is an important victory and shows the strength of local unions working together.

For more information or to share your views on the proposal contact James Anthony

 

Royal Wedding Bank Holiday

FOR ATTENTION OF ALL UNISON MEMBERS WORKING AT UHB

RE 29TH APRIL BANK HOLIDAY

A number of members have been in touch with us about the Trust's position regarding the Royal Wedding on the 29th April. UNISON (along with the other local Trade Unions) has been trying to engage Trust Management in negotiations to try and settle these issues, but with no success. We will continue to try and reach agreement. However if this is not possible we will look to support members to uphold their legal rights.

Please read this carefully and provide us with your details if appropriate.

Public Holiday Pay

I'm sure you are aware that the Trust has decided not to pay enhancements to staff working on the 29th April Public Holiday. The Trust maintains that they do not have to pay additional rates for additional holidays. However the Agenda for Change Handbook (your national Terms & Conditions agreed between NHS Employers and the Trade Unions) is very clear in that it states:

"2.2 The NHS delivers patient services around the clock. Where staff are required to work to cover services in the evening, at night, over weekends and on general public holidays, the NHS Staff Council has agreed that a percentage enhancement should be paid"

It is therefore our view that if you work on the 29th April and do not receive any enhancement from the Trust for the public holiday you may have a claim for unlawful deductions from earning.  If you are working on the 29th then please e-mail James Anthony or if that is not possible call the Joint Union Office on 51503

Time Off

A number of members felt that it was unfair that staff who do not normally work on a Friday would not get any additional leave, and that leave should be allocated on a pro rata basis as with other public holidays.  Since raising this with the Trust they have now agreed that this will be the case and it will be pro-rata.

What do I need to do now?

If you work on the 29th:

  • Contact James Anthony via e-mail or if not possible call 51503. (If possible please quote your membership number, contact details, job title, place of work, hours worked on the 29th)
  • Ensure you keep your pay slips safe so you can provide a copy when needed
  • Be prepared to submit a claim if necessary

The UNISON Branch will then keep a central register of members who are affected so we can keep you updated.

 

UNISON Rejects proposals to freeze increments

Your Branch reps on the Regional Health Committee (Sue Higgins, Sharon Otto & James Anthony) today heard that UNISON's Service Group Executive has rejected the proposal from NHS Employers for a framework agreement to allow local trust's and unions to agree to freeze increments in return for a no compulsory agreement.
Supporting the decision Branch Chair James Anthony told the committee, "I support the decision to reject this deal, our member are suffering with a pay freeze and an increment freeze would be unfair to our members, and in return the 'no compulsory redundancy' agreements would be unenforceable and would not protect jobs and services."

 

 

Proposed Pay Freeze will NOT affect increments

All members will be glad to heard that the announced pay freeze will not affect our progression through incridments, which UNISON asserts is a contractual right of staff in any case.  That still leave the freeze on cost of living increase for the next two years but UNISON will be fighting hard to see that off.

 

Coming to a pay slip near you

money_pounds1st April brought the third and final year's cost of living increase of our current three year pay deal so you should see an increase in your next pay slip. This covers all staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions (so everyone one other than Doctors, Dentists and very senior managers).

The deal means from 1st April this year:

  • An increase of 2.25% to the national salary scales
  • A flat rate increase of £420 to pay spine points 1-12 [i.e bands 1-3]
  • Reduction in the length of band 5 from nine to eight pay points by deleting the middle pay point (pay spine point 20).

When we look at what is going on around us members will be relieved that this increase has been delivered, having needed a lot of pressure from UNISON to make sure this year was implimented.  However with inflation at 3.7% RPI this doesn't actually meet the increase in our actual cost of living, and the struggle for better pay continues in what will be very difficult negotiations for our next pay award.
If you have any queries over your pay then please contact payroll in the first instance, for other queries contact Branch Chair, James Anthony

 


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