Michael Fuller and 29 delegates attended the meeting. Michael Fuller gave a presentation on the proposed Concordat. A compact summary of the Concordat was that NHS Scotland would implement on a national basis an agreement relating to staff at the bottom end of the scale, piloted in Lothian, in return for an agreement to drop all current and future claims for `class actions’.
The Concordat had been prepared for discussion by all staff groups in NHS Scotland, but it became apparent that the three major bodies, UNISON, RCN and Amicus hold the key to the Concordat. It was noted that the Chief Executives Group and Trust Chairs have publicly supported the concept of the Concordat.
Michael Fuller stated that the situation was developing daily, and with `Agenda for Change’ having being announced to the world, the Concordat would have to be viewed in the light of that. The meeting agreed that the subject of the meeting was not `Agenda for Change’, but it was mentioned along the way. The following notes relate to other unions and equivalent bodies, and known responses:
It was noted that most of the AMICUS-MSF membership does not fall into `low pay’ groups, but there are some Medical Laboratory Assistants that might be affected. There are also some staff members in A & C Grade 2 that would be affected. Michael Fuller had analysed the document and there were some particularly vague phrases, including `on account of’ and `reasonable period of time’. It was noted that the first condition could be interpreted as a `No strike’ provision. It would also invalidate most Grievance Procedures. There was also debate on `class actions’. Whilst there was little evidence cited regarding active claims affecting Amicus-MSF members, the whole concept was considered with scepticism by the present meeting.
The view was that the meeting had to come to a decision on the day. The overwhelming evidence was that the meeting as a whole was unhappy with the document. It was agreed that NHS Scotland senior management could use the rejection to suggest that a low pay offer had been rejected. The view of the meeting was that the low pay offer was agreeable, but the strings attached were unacceptable. It was agreed that if rejection occurred that the response should have some constructive elements.
The vote was unanimous to reject the Concordat. It was agreed that Michael Fuller should write a letter to Gerry Marr with the result of the debate, including a précis of the opinions expressed. It was agreed that discussions on current low pay should continue.
Agenda for Change:
I was invited to attend this meeting which was intended to discuss Agenda for Change and ASTCP concerns over it. The outcome of the meeting was a request for a joint meeting with Bill Scott. This was arranged for 20th January but was postponed at the last minute. It is thought the meeting will now take place in February.
A full report of this meeting can be found on here.
This meeting coincided with the meeting of the NHSScotland Forum and I was therefore unable to attend.
This document was published on 9th January and is available from the www.phis.org.uk or here
I have written to Mark Butler, Director of Human Resources, NHSScotland, to try to ascertain if there is a strategy for pharmacists. A reply is awaited.
I was unable to attend this meeting due to a clash with the Scottish NHS Committee meeting. However, I had arranged for Jim Bannerman to attend in my stead. Unfortunately, he was unable to do so at the last minute.
As this was the Annual General Meeting of the Committee, the following officers were elected
Chair:
Scottish Executive Group (SEG)
West of Scotland:
In addition, the following additional members were agreed
HR Forum delegate :
MLA Representative:
The Scottish delegates elected to the NAC and OACs were
Delegate
Deputy
NHS NAC
Helen McFarlane
Ian Forbes
MTO OAC
Rod Bannerman
Ian Taylor
Radiographers OAC
Marlene Barrie
Geraldine Irvine
Clinical Scientists OAC
Gordon Stephen
Speech & Language Therapists OAC
Gary Withnell
Ailsa Paterson
Biomedical Scientists OAC
Donald Sime
Alistair Mackay
Clinical Psychologists OAC
Sheena Bailey
Radiography helpers OAC
vacant
Speech & Language Assistants OAC
Professions Allied to Medicine OAC
Estates Officers OAC
Scottish Executive Group:
Agenda For Change:
Scottish Partnership Forum:
1. The Organisational Change Policy was confirmed as permanent with no further review in the foreseeable future. Staff side are now to have a separate meeting with the Minister to discuss its extension to AfC. There was some concern over an apparent gulf between the position of the Management side of the SPF and HR directors in Trusts. It was noted that the position would be reinforced in the Health White Paper due to be published in February. There will probably also be a joint letter from the Joint Chairs of the SPF. Reviews of how much the policy is costing the service yielded the figure of £5m, which is a miniscule part of the overall budget. In addition, staff and skills are retained within the service and there are no redundancy payments.
2. Framework for implementing the Working Time Directive. The Report and guidance will be issued shortly as an HDL.
3. Advice on part-time workers and their entitlement to public holidays. No matter what days they work, part time staff are entitled to a proportionate number.
4. The formation of an 8 strong Partnership Support Unit at the Health Department.
5. Communications arrangements and improving the ability of members to keep abreast of new developments.
6. A letter on AfC had been circulated within the NHS. This contained nonsense and attempts were being made to prevent further distribution. It was agreed that it was not helpful and carried no weight whatsoever.
7. Shared Services. Under the review of management and decision-making in NHS Scotland, one of the groups was looking at Support Services. However there were also numerous other groups looking at sharing services between Trusts, between Boards and between the NHS and local authorities. Management have been asked to map out all the groups and subcommittees so that it is possible to ensure they all have trade union representation. It was agreed that the SNHSC would write to Trevor Jones, Chief Executive, NHS Scotland, about the lack of partnership working, consultation and involvement at the centre. It was not appropriate that the centre exhibit a different behaviour from that expected by them of Trusts or Boards.
8. Joint Futures. A decision had been taken not to set up a Scottish Staff Forum on Joint Futures. Apparently, management and trade unions within local authorities are uncomfortable with the concept. However, the programme will not work unless proper partnership exists in and between the NHS and local authorities. Concerns have been tabled, and it is likely to be a slower process than anticipated.
Michael Fuller will not be standing for the Joint Chair of the SPF again. The SPF meeting of 28.1.03 will decide the new Joint Chair. Management Joint Chair will be Trevor Jones. There are two declared candidates at present for the Staff Joint chair of the HR Forum. Jim Devine (Unison) and Billy Parker (Amicus-AEEU) are both in contention. Candidates must declare their intention to run by 17.1.03 and the election will take place on 3.2.03. The Management Joint Chair will be Mark Butler.
Amicus:
Health White Paper:
Review of Management and Decision-making in NHS Scotland:
NHS NAC meeting:
Pay Concordat:
Senior Managers Group:
I will be attending this course and a report of it will be posted on the website once compiled.
This meeting had been scheduled to take place on 20th January, but was cancelled by Amicus-MSF due to one of the delegates being unable to attend.
Colin Rodden 17 January 2003