unison votes for change
WORKERS, JULY 2003 ISSUE
The government's proposed new pay determination system for all NHS workers (Agenda for Change) took a step closer to implementation as delegates at the Harrogate Unison health conference in April voted overwhelmingly to support the executive position of a two-ballot approach.
The delegates voted to put a recommendation of acceptance in the first ballot to the members. The ballot closed at the end of May with an 81% majority in favour of a three-year pay deal and an agreement to start 'early implementer' pilot sites in 12 health trusts. These early implementer sites will test the system and have the ability to iron out any problems before a second ballot in 2004. The second ballot will be asking members to vote on acceptance of the new pay system being rolled out across the whole of the NHS.
The April Unison conference made an important decision not to throw away four years of negotiations. The delegates dismissed the arguments of those who would drag the union into damaging annual confrontation over pay in favour of those that wanted to take the union forward with a system that would bring stability and fairness as well as giving greater influence to the unions in the future of the Health Service.