The Pay Review Body for NHS Staff (excluding doctors and dentists) have not sought a remit from the government to re-open the three year pay deal.
This means that with effect from April 2010 members will receive an increase of 2.25% on salary.
The Society is aware that some employers have attempted to persuade staff to agree to forego the third stage of the award, hinting that if payment is made there will be a knock-on effect on job security.
The SoR takes the view that this is a spurious and irresponsible proposal with employers asking members to bail out the employer by paying for any overspend out of their own pocket.
The Secretary of State for Health in 2008 (Alan Johnson) made it very clear that the three year deal would stand. In a government publication The Operating Framework for the NHS 2010/11 published in December 2009 it is stated:
‘The NHS Pay Review Body has confirmed that it will not seek a remit to review that pay increase for the final year of the three-year pay deal for Agenda for Change staff in 2010/11. Employers must now honour the deal in full...’ [Page 36- Para 3.48.]
Members who are invited to forego by an employer an increase that is a contractual entitlement should reject any such proposal and contact their SoR local representative.
SoR representatives on local Staff Sides should, similarly, reject any attempt by employers to cajole members to forego a legitimate increase in pay and advise the SoR Regional/National Officer of the employer’s proposal.
The Staff Side at national level are seeking clarification of the pre budget announcement to cap all public sector pay at 1% from 2011. Further information on what this means to NHS staff and SoR members will be published when available.
