March 2013

Dear Colleagues

Due to the mass flurry of activity in the NHS this month I have already briefed and communicated with the regions on three different occasions. Therefore I will provide a brief monthly overview and update regions on the following:

1. Pay Review Body and the recent Budget Report

2. Year 2 Pension Contributions

3. AfC including Annex E

4. NHS National Project & Sharing Best Practice

5. New Emerging Structures including NHS Property Services

6. NHS Political Campaign

7. GMB NHS Committees

Pay Review Body and the recent Spending Review Report

The NHS PRB published their 27th Report a few weeks ago, details of which have already been circulated to regions. Follow the link below if you have not already downloaded the report:

https://www.ome.uk.com/NHSPRB_Reports.aspx

In brief the PRB made the following recommendations:

•   A 1% increase to all Agenda for Change (AfC) pay points from 1 April 2013.

•   A 1% increase to the high cost area supplement (HCAS) minima and maxima from 1 April 2013.

  In the Budget, the Chancellor announced many detriments including a further 1% pay cap to all Public Sector workers for 2014/15. The GMB NHS Committees are meeting later this month and we will need to begin a discussion as to how we respond to the next Pay Review Evidence Session. We also need to begin a discussion with our members on the pay, terms and conditions agenda in the NHS.

  Year 2 Pension Contributions

  Regions should be aware that the Year 2 NHS Pension Contributions will be applied next month which means that in practice many will not see the 1% pay award when it’simplemented. See below the details of the year 2 pension increases:

(These changes are calculated on the basis of pre-April 2013 pay rates)

Colleagues should also remember that the requirements to automatically enrol employees into a pension Scheme is now well underway with a staged timetable for implementation based on size of employer. This applies equally to the NHS as elsewhere, and so anyone who has previously opted out of the NHS Pension Scheme could expect to be enrolled back into it. More information on automatic enrolment can be seen at www.gmb.org.uk/pensions

AfC including Annex E

Following my extensive update on the AfC discussions last month, I will be keen to hear how regions are dealing with the implementation stage of the AfC Agreement. I am keen to learn if any meetings have taken place with staff sides or NHS Employers to discuss their approaches towards implementation. I will also be keen to hear how the Equality Impact Assessments are being managed.

On Annex E, I have already briefed the GMB NHS Ambulance Cttee and NHS Lead Officers. In short it’s all a bit of a shambles! When the discussions were taking place on the changes to the AfC, NHSE overlooked Annex E, despite my efforts to seek clarity. I was told by staff side it wasn't included, and was given an ambiguous position from the NHS Employers. Since the agreement of 26/2/13 some NHS Ambulance Trusts are now pushing to have Annex E included. Ambulance Trusts want to make similar savings on sickness leave and take advantage of the flat rate of pay that will apply, which excludes any unsocial hours payment when NHS employees takes sickness leave. We are currently seeking an urgent meeting with the NHSE and I will keep you all updated.

NHS National Project & Sharing Best Practice

At the time of writing both Paul Clarke and I continue to meet with the regions to discuss the NHS National Project. We aim to have all the regional meetings concluded shortly. Current Regional meetings outstanding are Southern, Wales and South West, Northern and North West.

The next phase will be working alongside the selected NHS targets and the reps and officers. We need to ensure the necessary GMB@Work mapping exercises are complete. The aim is to directly work alongside the teams in each of the targets to assist with the direct consolidation of GMB membership. Please ensure, if not already done so, that all mapping exercises for each of the targets are carried out. I will be writing directly to the lead officers or reps where appropriate to ask these are submitted. A proper evaluation needs to take place of the targets and support will be offered where there are gaps in any information.

Can I also ask regions who have developed specific NHS training, inductions, tool kits or anything related to briefing NHS Officers or Reps to share this information directly with Paul and myself? Or give me a call and I can discuss how best we can access this information. The aim is to ensure that we share this best practice and avoid duplication. This information will also assist both Paul and I in any training we develop so early sight of this information will be helpful.

New Emerging Structures including NHS Property Services

You will all know by now, that next month will see hundreds of new structures emerging in the NHS. Over the past 18 months I have consulted, briefed and updated regions on this. I sent an earlier comms on this issue a few weeks ago. Please ensure all recognition agreements are suitably tracked and transferred. members affected need support pre and post transfer.

You have all have been furnished with details of the National Recognition Agreement secured at NHS Property Services. Southern Region have the bulk of members but Gavin Davies kindly pulled together all the necessary information to assist regions in going out to organise many of the non TU members at this employer. Please ensure you exploit all opportunities to recruit the non-members and where we do have members that we consolidate the membership. A list of workplaces has been issued, together with contact details of regional NHS Property Services HR Personnel. Please make sure contact is made and an early dialogue to introduce the GMB locally and regionally is arranged. I will be more than happy where

appropriate to assist regions in securing meetings where this may prove problematic. There are approx 3000 staff working at NHS Property Service. Union density is poor so we need to organise appropriately.

NHS Political Campaign

A number of regions are leading high profile NHS political campaigns. Save the NHS events are taking place across the country. Not a week goes by and we don’t hear of an event. We need to start sharing and exchanging information on this more readily. Can I ask regions to briefly email me of any NHS political campaigns they are involved in or in the middle of planning?

GMB London Region took action to defend the Whittington Hospital. The GMB Southern Region are organising a demonstration at the Brighton & Sussex University NHS Trust 6thApril. A march and rally was organised on Saturday 16th March on the NHS. If there are any others planned in April please do advise me.

GMB NHS Committees

Over the coming months the GMB NHS Committees work will be reassessed and evaluated. I need all regions to play their part. Can regions begin to ensure that all their NHS representatives that attend on behalf of the regions are fully briefed on the key issues affecting the NHS on a regional basis. Could all regions ensure that their selected representatives that attend the national meetings are adequately reporting the outcomes of national discussions. Training will be a key focus of the NHS Committees work, we need to address any gaps in knowledge and skills and ensure all our reps are effectively delivering the GMB@Work agenda in NHS workplaces.

Conclusion

The landscape of the NHS will significantly begin to change from next month. Please do contact me directly to discuss any issue further and please do continue to offer your suggestions as to how the monthly comms can be improved. National newsletters are for your use and please do amend appropriately before issuing to your workplace.

Best Wishes Yours sincerely

Rehana Azam

National Officer
Public Services Section