Latest advice for activists -Pay Cartel

Published: 08 August 2012

Don’t get pulled into negotiations on regional pay

You may be aware that Chief Executives are currently making statements to staff and influencers such as MPs about the pay cartel that include accusations that “unions are refusing to talk to employers about facing the financial challenge”. 

To clarify our position, the RCN (and other unions) will not enter in to local negotiations on nationally agreed terms and conditions. Agenda for Change (AfC) is primarily a national agreement and therefore changes must be discussed and agreed via national negotiations, which are currently taking place. Unions have asked employers to stop undermining these national negotiations.

All unions on staff side will work with employers to identify realistic, sustainable ways of saving money that reduce waste and maintain quality patient services.  The RCN locally, regionally and nationally urges employers to listen to and work with staff to identify alternative efficiency savings.

The RCN believes that this attack on staff pay, terms and conditions is short sighted and has the potential to damage trusts’ ability to provide quality health services to patients in the region. Staff may leave posts in trusts that pay less and move to areas where they can receive a fair wage.  This will create a skills shortage in the South West that will mean patient care will suffer. Also if salaries are reduced staff will have less disposable income and this will have a negative impact on the region’s economy.

Keep an eye on our Pay Cartel website, so we can keep you up to date; we will be adding guidance and resources as this campaign progresses.

Activist advice on this and conduct can be found on our Activist Guidance site