Staff ensuring health and care safety deserve fair pay

Staff at the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are to be balloted ​over possible strike action after being given no pay rise this year ​despite the significant rise in the cost of living, says UNISON today (Wednesday). The workers provide an essential public service ensuring health and ​social care ​organisations in England meet safety standards and deserve to be fairly paid, the union says. CQC staff – who ​inspect, monitor and regulate hospitals, care homes, GP and dental surgeries, as well as ambulance and mental health services – have endured years without a significant pay rise, and since the start of 2010 the value of their wages has fallen by almost 20%, ​says UNISON. UNISON submitted a pay claim for a 5% pay increase with several other unions* in June. However, ​all but the very lowest paid staff have been told that they are subject to the public sector pay freeze and won’t get anything this year. ​ Last week inflation – measured by the consumer price index – was at 4.2%, the highest level for ten years, indicating that families across the UK are facing spiralling household costs. CQC staff represented by UNISON have already shown by a clear majority ​that they are willing to take sustained action over their pay claim. They are to be formally balloted for action in the new year, with the ballot opening on 21 January. The CQC is on course to underspend its budget during this financial year according to its own disclosures and...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release CQC Source Type: news