14.09.1995

Healthworkers speak out

Bill Ali, Unison rep, Royal Free Hospital, London

“They say the pay deal is the best they can achieve, but it is not good. The whole thing was to get away from local pay bargaining, and now many members are getting cheesed off with the whole business.”

John Loxley, Unison rep, Whipps Cross Hospital, London

“The members were consulted and they overwhelmingly rejected local bargaining, but the main offer is giving us just that. I don’t like the way the unions have gone about it - ignoring the previous consultation. There was a low turnout in the ballot with a small majority in favour of industrial action, but the national campaign was very low key.”

Alison Parkinson, chairperson, Unison Merseyside Health no 1 branch

“Our branch has discussed the deal and will recommend that the members reject it. We are not happy, because it introduces local pay, when what we need is national pay for a national health service. Our stand is to keep the pay review bodies with no local pay bargaining. We got a vote for action. A ‘yes’ vote is a ‘yes’ vote and we should abide by that result.”