Possibility of a re-formed pay cartel crumbles

Published: 28 March 2013

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) today (28 March) welcomed the news that more NHS trust boards have announced their commitment to national terms and conditions. 

Today Devon Partnership NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust confirmed their commitment to the national agreement for Agenda for Change contracts and a return to partnership working. Importantly these trusts also stated that they would not engage in any further work of the pay cartel.

Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Dorset County Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust have already made similar statements to their staff. The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch NHS Trust left the pay cartel in November stating that the work of the cartel was not in the best interests of their staff or community.

Jeannett Martin, Regional Director of RCN South West, said:

“We are delighted that Devon Partnership NHS Trust and University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust have joined the five other trusts who have already given a clear commitment to a return to partnership working.

“This shows that RCN members have had their voice heard by these employers and the RCN campaign has been successful in diverting NHS Trusts from their original intention to implement local pay systems across the South West region.”

Five other trusts - Weston Area Health NHS Trust, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, 2gether NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust – will consider this issue at their board meetings in April.

Jeannett Martin, Regional Director of RCN South West, said:

“The RCN calls upon all employers in the South West who are still part of the pay cartel to follow the lead of these seven trusts and confirm to their staff that they will not return to a local pay cartel if it re-emerges in future. This will be a first step in rebuilding staff trust and confidence.

“Regional pay systems are not only unfair for staff, they are costly and complicated to implement and this wasted money ultimately damages patient care.”