To celebrate the hard work of your stewards over the last few decades, we have chosen some articles from the past to publicise before the new year. This article was first run in 2006. and
UNISON AND INITIAL HOSPITAL SERVICES REACH PAY AND CONDITIONS AGREEMENT 2006
UNISON is delighted to have reached agreement with Initial Hospital Services on new Rates of Pay and Conditions of Service for staff including Cleaners, Laundry and Catering workers, employed by Initial within the Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust.
The agreement is based on the Agenda for Change package which operates within the NHS. It means for the first time in many years staff employed by Initial will be on the same pay and conditions of service as those staff directly employed by the NHS.
The main features of the agreement are:-
Basic pay will rise to £6.03 back dated to 1 October 2006. It is hoped that this will be paid as soon as possible.
Annual Pay Increase will be from 1 April each year. (this brings forward the pay settlement date by three months) so members will get their pay increase earlier. This years’ pay rise will be backdated to 1 April 2007.
Recognition of previous service for the purposes of the full Agenda for Change entitlement for holidays, backdated to 1 October 2006.
Overtime, week end, nights and unsocial hours payments in line with the full Agenda for Change package, backdated to 1 October 2006.
8 Bank Holidays per year. If staff work on these days, double time PLUS time off in lieu.
Full Agenda for Change sick pay entitlement, backdated to 1 April 2007.
The introduction of annual increment increases in pay to the top of the pay bands – These increases are IN ADDITION TO the April pay increase. The agreement follows extensive negotiations between UNISON and Initial lasting 2 years.
Peter Ballard Branch Secretary of Sefton Health UNISON said:- "This agreement ends the spectre of the two tier workforce and recognises the valuable contribution that Health Workers such as cleaners, laundry workers and catering staff make to delivering high quality services to patients."
Vera Kearny UNISON Shop Steward said:- "After a long campaign by UNISON our members will no longer be treated like 2nd class citizens and will enjoy the same pay and conditions as other NHS Staff.
We feel this is a great victory for all UNISON members employed by private contractors.
This victory was hard fought for, but UNISON members stood firm and are delighted with the outcome"
Frank Hont, UNISON North West Regional Secretary said:- “This is a tremendous result for UNISON members and others in Aintree Hospitals.
Thanks to the solidarity and determination shown by trade union members their contribution will be recognised.
We hear a lot about nurses and doctors in the NHS but patient care is a team effort and these staff play a vital part in providing quality care to patients.“
