UCATT Narrowly Vote To Accept Revised NHS Pay Offer

UCATT members working in the craft and maintenance divisions of the NHS have voted narrowly in favour of accepting the Government’s revised pay offer.

In a workplace consultative ballot members voted by a margin of 51.5 % to 48.5% in favour of accepting the revised offer. UCATT had recommend that members accept the revised pay offer

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “The narrow margin of acceptance should send a clear message that there remains serious pay problems for our members in the NHS. Skilled craft workers are receiving below inflation rises and their wages are falling far behind their fellow workers in the private sector.”

He added: “If these problems are not resolved in future pay negotiations than the NHS will cease to be able to recruit competent and skilled craft workers.”

UCATT members have been campaigning to be awarded the recruitment retention payments, which are paid to some maintenance workers. Also there remain serious concerns about their correct pay banding following the Agenda for Change reforms.

Details of the offer include:

* From 1st November a £400 flat rate increase for those on Bands 1 and 2. Those on Bands 3 and 4 will receive an additional £38 as well as the 2.5%. This will be payable in all 4 UK countries.

* In England only, additional money for staff training targeted directly on non-clinical staffs that often lose out when training budgets is cut.

* England only, there will be £38 paid to staff on Bands 5, 6, 7 and 8(a) who are required to register to practice. This money is a contribution to their professional fees.