UNISON and its union counterparts met with the Trust today in the regular Joint Steering Group (JSG).

At this meeting the Trust placed on the Agenda a new Pay Protection Policy. This policy has been and was continuing to be part of the Workforce Plan, however, the Trust has now decided to separate the policy from the Workforce Plan and enforce their own policy on members.

The Trust plan to reduce protection to the following:

• 2 years maximum long term protection (down from 5 years)
• 6 months maximum short term protection (down from 12 months)

As you would expect all the unions objected strongly and requested further negotiation, in line with other proposals from the Workforce Plan. However this was rejected and the Trust insisted that they would continue to separate the policy from the workforce plan negotiations and enforce the new pay protection policy on members with immediate effect.

This appears to show a complete disregard for partnership working and for our members view, which were clearly voiced in our recent ballot with 94% rejecting the workforce proposal, which included the Pay Protection policy that the Trust has now reduced even further and plan to enforce.

This appears from the Trust to be a direct assault on our member’s terms and conditions and will undoubtedly put us in direct confrontation, which considering the Trusts recent poor CQC report (with the exception of the direct service provided by members) and the fact that the Trust plan to introduce wide ranging rota changes that will undoubtedly prove unpopular if the information that has gone out is to be believed.

UNISON and its union partners are now consulting with regional offices to formulate the next steps. Members will be kept updated with any developments. This attack on our terms and conditions is just the start, it is vital we all stand together against such aggressive tactics.