June 2018 news for members

NHS PAY

A 3% uplift has been agreed as a 'payment on account' for the NHS in Scotland, pending discussion and agreement of a final pay deal for NHS staff (which will be the subject of consultation with members before it is agreed).  The 3% is backdated to 1 April 2018.  Here is a link to the circular:

http://www.sehd.scot.nhs.uk/pcs/PCS2018(AFC)01.pdf

Matt McLaughlin, UNISON's national officer for the NHS, said:

'I am pleased that the First Minister has finally announced that NHS workers in Scotland will get 3% on account.  Annoyed it's taken the best part of 5 months from the first commitment to Pay Up Now until the political announcement.  More detailed offer in the working and of course unions will consult their members.

In the meantime anyone who thinks this is an offer from the goodness of the First Minister's heart should be reminded of:

1) UNISON Scrap the Cap tour of NHS Annual Reviews

2) UNISON Christmas card campaign

3) UNISON lobbies of parliament (2)

4) UNISON public sector pay demonstration in Edinburgh.

This rise and any resultant further offer was brought to you by UNISON and the trade union movement.'

You will remember that members from our Branch participated in the demonstration at the Board's annual review in Aviemore, the Christmas card campaign, and the pay demo in Edinburgh.

Further news will be provided as this develops.

 

BAND 2 NURSING ASSISTANTS

We are in discussion with NHS Highland as to how this can be progressed for the 200+ members who have filled in the form to claim for a higher band.  There is still time to join this group if you are a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker at a Band 2.  If you would like to complete a claim form, please contact the UNISON office (tel 01463 715891, email inverness.office@unison.co.uk).   We are proposing the adoption of a successful approach which was used in Glasgow, and NHS Highland are broadly receptive to this idea so far.  The next step is likely to be the establishment of a joint project group to take this forward.  More soon!

 

ETHICAL CARE CHARTER

The Branch is pursuing sign-up to the Charter, both by the Council in Argyll and Bute, and with NHS Highland.  We hope to have some progress to report here, shortly.

 

COMPLETE THE UNISON EQUALITY SURVEY - AND YOU COULD WIN THREE NIGHTS FOR TWO PEOPLE AT CROYDE BAY HOLIDAY RESORT!

Last year a fantastic 11,500 members completed the annual UNISON equality survey, the results of which were used to brief our service groups and self-organised groups on key equality issues for their bargaining and organising agendas.  

Please take part in this year's survey and encourage as many of your workmates and friends as possible to do the same:   http://www.surveygizmo.eu/s3/90068250/Equality-Survey-2018

It takes 5-10 minutes to complete.  You can complete it anonymously if you want - but please note you can't be in the prize draw if we don't have an email address for you!  The survey closes on Friday 10 August 2018.

 

TRANSITION TO AGENDA FOR CHANGE FOR ADULT SOCIAL CARE STAFF

NHS Highland has agreed in principle the need to move quickly to integrate staff on to Agenda For Change (NHS terms and conditions).  We will be involved in a meeting on 2 August 2018 to look at how to bring this about.  We will consult/involve members who are directly affected, as information and proposals become available.