Health visitor team leaders in part of Scotland are to take industrial action in their dispute with the health board over job evaluation. Three trade unions representing the staff, RCN Scotland, Unison and Unite, gave formal written notice of the action to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on Friday.
The unions say the health board has failed to follow nationally agreed job evaluation processes. The staff plan action short of strike action at this stage.
Union leaders express disappointment
James O’Connell, regional officer for Unite, said: “Our members are extremely disappointed that they have been forced to take this course of action, it is the last thing they want to do.”
“Our members have shown patience and willingness to resolve this dispute, however the direct actions of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde senior management have left them with no other options.”
“The continued blatant disregard of agreed processes by NHSGGC will only lead to further action. We urge the board to rectify their behaviour and resolve this dispute without delay.”
Background of unrest
The move comes after 12 months of unrest amongst several groups of staff employed by NHSGGC. A group of district nurses threatened industrial action, including strike action, in their own dispute with the health board over job evaluation. Other sections of the health board’s workforce have recently been on strike over fair pay and banding.
Philip Coghill, RCN Scotland head of pay, terms and conditions, said: “Our members absolutely do not want to take industrial action. They are fully committed to giving safe and effective care to the children and families in their care.”
“But they feel undervalued, demoralised and that the actions of the employer have left them no choice.”
Calls for intervention
Frances Carmichael, branch secretary for Unison, said members are “disappointed” and called on the Scottish Government to intervene. “We are disappointed that Unison members are yet again forced to resort to industrial action to secure a proper job description, job evaluation and appropriate back pay. We are frustrated that talks have made so little progress over many months.”
“We could have avoidable disruption on the wards and in health visiting in the coming weeks because the health board can’t or won’t follow the rules that give people the right pay rate for the job they do.”
“We again ask the Scottish Government to intervene strongly, telling the health board that they must respect frontline health staff and settle these disputes.” NHSGGC and the Scottish Government have been asked for comment.
