Health members of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have voted overwhelmingly to accept the new NHS pay and conditions package, Agenda for Change, which will deliver a £5.69 minimum wage in the NHS. The union’s health service group executive today agreed to accept the package in principle, pending further talks about extending unsocial hours payments to all staff. The ballot result :Yes92,391 (75.2%) No30.439 (24.8%) Total votes cast 122,830 (26.8%)
Health members of UNISON, the UK’s largest union, have voted overwhelmingly to accept the new NHS pay and conditions package, Agenda for Change, which will deliver a £5.69 minimum wage in the NHS. The union’s health service group executive today agreed to accept the package in principle, pending further talks about extending unsocial hours payments to all staff.
Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON said:
“Thanks to today’s vote the NHS is closer to the goal of achieving a modern pay and conditions system which properly recognises and rewards the skills of the workforce, and offers training opportunities and real progression through the ranks. It also means that no-one will be paid less than £5.69 an hour, which is a major breakthrough for low paid NHS workers.
“UNISON will now negotiate to maximise the benefits for all members. We will be discussing in particular how we extend the unsocial hours payments to all staff. This is a huge and complex package and I am determined to make sure that our stewards and staff are properly trained in how to deal with its implementation. I am making that a priority for our organisation."
“One of the key issues for UNISON activists - that of paid time off to represent members in implementing agenda for change - is also a key priority for me. I will make sure that the union’s health negotiators approach, as a matter of urgency, each NHS trust in Britain to secure proper paid time off arrangements for or local representatives."
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