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6 November, 2002

Amicus MSF

 

AGENDA FOR CHANGE

Amicus MSF identify Agenda for Change as the most effective way of correcting many of the anomalies in the present pay and grading structures. It also provides objectively determined flexibility to reflect the Skills Escalator and Skill Mix. The Job Evaluation scheme provides an objective way of determining pay and minimises pay inequalities. Amicus MSF has a number of concerns, which will have to be resolved before the arrangements could be acceptable to our 65,000 professional and skilled members in the NHS.

  1. Whilst the scheme has been developed through partnership, recently a number of decisions have been taken unilaterally by the DoH. We need urgently to return to a partnership approach.
  2. No trialing of the scheme through Early Implementers should be undertaken until the scheme is complete. Early Implementers must have the software controls in place for Job Evaluation.
  3. The principles of Equal Opportunity and Equal Pay must be upheld in the new structures and payment systems
  4. Pay shall be determined by the value of the job, as determined by Job Evaluation, across all three pay spines
  5. Pay bands shall not unreasonably overlap
  6. There shall be a sufficient number of pay bands to reflect significant differences in job value.
  7. Each band shall have a similar range of points
  8. Recruitment and retention payments shall be time and circumstance limited and removable.
  9. Pay related to a workers performance is inconsistent with Equal Pay.
  10. Pay Review Bodies/Staff negotiating group, shall not be able to change relativities nor award differential payments other than for short term R&R problems.
  11. Harmonisation of terms and conditions shall not adversely effect exiting conditions of staff. In particular no member of staff shall be expected to work longer hours nor take shorter holidays than at present.
  12. Payments for out of hours work or unsocial hours worked shall properly reflect the disruptive impact on staff and their families. Harmonised arrangements shall not be used to reduce the cost of 24/7 working and flexibility.
  13. Implementation has to be properly monitored and AMICUS MSF require seconded reps to be funded by the DoH to enable the professions which we represent to be confident of consistency of application, especially in the Early Implementers.

NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS: For further information, please contact Roger Spiller, Head of Health, amicus-MSF Tel: 07768 693935 (mobile) 01379 898669 (home)                 .

 

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NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS

For further information, please contact:

Shaun Noble Communications Officer ( (020) 7939 7043

mobile ( 07768 69 39 40

CPHVA press releases can be seen on the CPHVA web site: amicus-cphva.org

 The CPHVA represents health visitors, school nurses, practice nurses and registered nurses working in the community in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The CPHVA is an autonomous professional section of the amicus trade union. MSF joined with the AEEU to form amicus, the UK’s second largest union, on 1 January 2002.

NOTE FOR NEWS DESKS

For further information, please contact Shaun Noble Press Officer (020) 7939 7043 Mobile 0468 69 39 40 MSF

press releases can be seen on our web site: www.msf.org.uk

Amicus/MSF represents 65,000 health service professionals including the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists, laboratory scientific staff, the College of Health Care Chaplains, the Community Psychiatric Nurses Association, the Medical Practitioners' Union, clinical psychologists, speech therapists, the Hospital Physicists Association and the Community Practitioners' and Health Visitors' Association.

Amicus/MSF has 400,000 skilled and professional members in a wide range of industries. It is the UK's second largest union.

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