Management 'Split' On Hard Line NHS Pay Stance

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 02 May 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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There is a NHS management split in the hard line being adopted over the proposed multi-year pay deal, said Unite, the third largest union in the NHS.

The split over the government's drive for such a pay deal has been highlighted in letters written by NHS Chief Executive, David Nicholson, and the Joint Acting Director, NHS Employers, Alastair Henderson.

Unite has rejected the proposed three-year NHS pay deal, worth 7.999%, and is calling for further pay talks with the government and NHS employers.

Unite Head of Health, Kevin Coyne said : 'The apparent confusion in the management position has came about as a result of indirect political tampering with the decision of the independent Pay Review Body (PRB) which recommended a 2.75% pay award for this year, 2008/9.'

David Nicholson, in a 7 April letter, said that ministers could impose a staged pay-award this year, if the NHS unions don't fall in behind the three-year pay deal.

He said: 'The Government reserves the right to review its response to the NHS PRB recommendations and decide whether to accept, stage or abate them in the context of a one year settlement.'

However, Mr Henderson, commenting on the prospect of the multi-year deal in a letter of 23 April, said: 'We would stress that there is no 'offer', but a proposed agreement involving pay and non pay elements.'

He said: 'In a spirit of partnership we would urge all the NHS trade unions involved to proceed to some form of consultation on the proposed three year settlement.'

Kevin Coyne said: 'This is a classic 'hard cop, soft cop' routine. David Nicholson is wielding the big stick, while Alastair Henderson is using more moderate language.'

'The so-called 'proposed agreement' for three years has been rejected by Unite and other trade unions and professional organisations.'

'The logic is that we should now go back to the negotiating table and come up with a settlement that we can offer to our members that truly reflects the very real inflationary pressures in the economy, such as increased mortgage, food and utility bills.'

Unite/CPHVA press releases can be seen on the CPHVA website: http://www.unitetheunion.com/cphva

Unite (Amicus section) is the third largest union in the NHS. It has seven professional sections: the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association, the Mental Health Nurses Association, the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, the Society of Sexual Health Advisers, the Medical Practitioners' Union, College of Healthcare Chaplains, and the Hospital Physicists Association.

Unite was formed by an amalgamation of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union in May 2007.

http://www.unitetheunion.com