04 April 2003
Unison leaders said they were confident that members would support the government's Agenda for Change programme on pay and conditions in the NHS, despite rumblings of a major revolt at next week's crucial conference.
The conference, held in Harrogate, will provide a vital test-bed for Health Secretary Alan Milburn's radical plans to restructure the pay and conditions of 1.2 million workers. As the largest health union, rejection by its members could seriously jeopardise Milburn's scheme, unravelling four years of negotiations between unions and the government.
Milburn is proposing a three-year pay deal of at least 10% linked to Agenda for Change, which aims to harmonise working hours, improve retention and ensure equal pay.
But members are concerned about its lack of detail and the possibility that many lower-paid auxiliary workers are likely to lose out under plans for job evaluations and pay assimilation.
The current 650 grades would be cut to eight pay bands and those being paid above the maximum in their pay band would be protected for one year then would see a pay freeze for up to five years or until pay awards caught up. Unison is understood to be concerned that part-time and poorer-paid workers would end up with substantial salary freezes.
The conference motions already submitted are temperate by Unison standards, calling for the reopening of negotiations, for more time to consider proposals, and the rejection of 'attempts to link a derisory pay offer' to the scheme.
But with the deadline for amendments open until April 11 leaders have not ruled out a rush by Left-wing union activists to derail the scheme. 'Anything could happen,' a source told Public Finance. 'There is a lot of opposition to the government and to the war in Iraq and this could be reflected next week.'
Unison's national ruling executive is proposing a two-stage acceptance of the agenda to head off any revolt.
It is recommending acceptance of the scheme but only in the 'early implementer' sites, including Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital NHS Trust this year.
The scheme would be rolled out nationally only once concerns were addressed. Unison members will be balloted twice on this two-stage deal – May this year and next year.
'We are confident that the service group executive's position will be supported,' said Malcolm Wing, Unison's national secretary.
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