UNISON pay ballot of Care Quality Commission staff opens

Staff at the Care Quality Commission in England will today (Friday) begin to vote in a strike ballot after being denied a pay rise this year, says UNISON. CQC ​employees – who ​inspect, monitor and regulate hospitals, care homes, GP ​practices and dental surgeries, as well as ambulance and mental health services – have endured years without a significant pay rise, ​says the union. ​Since the start of 2010, the value of their wages has fallen by almost 20%. ​A 5% pay claim ​was submitted last June. Since then, inflation ​has risen to 5.4%, the highest level in nearly 30 years and the cost-of-living crisis has spiralled out of control​, says UNISON​. Despite this, ​the CQC has announced a pay freeze for all but the very lowest paid. ​But UNISON says CQC ​employees play a key role in ensuring the health and care sectors are safe ​so need to be recognised and ​given a decent pay rise. UNISON ​national officer Matt Egan said: “CQC staff are key to the safety of hospitals, care homes and emergency services around the country. “It’s the first time this group is being balloted for strike action​. Their pay has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living. This must be addressed and reversed. ​Staff deserve a decent pay rise for the essential work they do. “Strike action is always a last resort​. But there’s still time for the ​CQC to review its pay policy and give ​its work​force a ​long overdue pay boos...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: News Press release care quality commission Matt Egan pay Source Type: news