Why is Unite balloting NHS members?
In April this year a three year pay deal was offered to all NHS workers on Agenda for Change worth a 7.99% increase over 3 years. It was clear members were being asked to accept a pay award well below the level of inflation for all three years.
All Unite NHS members were consulted on the pay offer by ballot in April and 95% of our members voted to reject it, and 75% of those who voted made it clear that they wanted a further ballot on industrial action in protest at this offer. Despite this clear rejection, the Government imposed this pay deal anyway.
As a result of the overwhelming mandate from the April ballot, Unite entered into dispute with the respective Governments of all four countries. This dispute has now led to us asking our members to vote, whether or not they will now take either (1) strike action, and/or, (2) action short of strike action, in support the rejection of the pay deal.
Why is this dispute Important?
We believe that this is a decisive moment in the future of the Government pay policy of restricting public sector pay awards. The three year pay deal is currently a below inflation pay award, meaning pay will fall well below a basic cost of living increase from now until 2011. If we do not take action now and continue to oppose this award, it is unlikely that this, or any future Government will change the policy of keeping public sector pay at unacceptably low levels. This will mean that NHS employees will be looking at pay awards below inflation for many years to come, not only affecting their day-to-day lives, but will also affect their pensions - a scheme that is based on the best year of the final three years salary.
This below inflation Pay Deal will affect NHS employees now, and their future pensions, so we must stand in opposition to this by taking action now.
What are we asking for?
We are asking for immediate re-negotiation of the three year pay deal, with a least a Retail Price Index cost of living increase for our hard working and committed NHS workers who deserve it!
We are urging members to vote YES to both questions on the ballot form and agree to support action to rectify what is an unfair and punitive pay award.
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