Health conference celebrates union ’ s re-banding wins

The ground-breaking re-banding of health care assistants (HCAs) achieved by UNISON branches in recent months was celebrated by health conference delegates in Bournemouth yesterday, during a busy afternoon of Agenda for Change motions. Campaigns on overtime, reducing the working week and protecting the NHS pension were among the other key topics discussed by delegates. Among the re-banding wins, last year thousands of HCAs across Manchester received up to £5,000 in backdated earnings, after a six-year battle to be re-banded, from band 2 to 3, in acknowledgement of the fact they were carrying out clinical duties way beyond their grade and pay. And this year the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust agreed to regrade nearly 100 HCAs, with members receiving almost £2,000 a year pay rises. In proposing the motion ‘winning re-banding campaigns’, Conroy Lawrence of Greater London region (pictured below) told delegates that as a result of the London success, members were now receiving “the right pay for the job they are doing” and had witnessed their union as a force in the workplace, new members were joining, and new activists were stepping forward. “These battles are winnable and what our union is all about. It’s important and our union is the only union that can win these campaigns in the NHS.” Another speaker added: “This is putting pounds back in members pockets. It is a massive achievement. And most important, it’s member-led. It’s what we can ac...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News 2023 National Health Conference pay fair for patient care Source Type: news