NHS Blocks Pay Equality For Building Workers

Construction union UCATT are bitterly disappointed that yet again the NHS employers have failed to address unfair pay differentials contained in Agenda for Change.

UCATT have been calling for the Retention and Recruitment Premium (RRP) worth £3,000 a year to apply to building craft operatives working in the NHS. Currently the premium only applies to maintenance craft operatives. Highly skilled and dedicated carpenters, builders and painters who keep hospitals functioning are paid far less than similar skilled positions such as electricians and plumbers.

Detailed academic research published last year by Greenwich University concluded that building craft operatives should receive the RRP. Despite this heavyweight research NHS employers have rejected the opportunity to bring a greater level of equality to Agenda for Change.

UCATT members denied RRP will find it particularly difficult to accept an 8 per cent pay offer, spread over three years, if the issue of RRP remained unresolved.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, said: “Agenda for Change was meant to achieve equality and fairness for NHS employees. It has failed to achieve this for building workers. The NHS employers have been presented with clear evidence that this is unjust and they have still failed to act”.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235