UNISON
Being a BAOT member means you also belong to UNISON and can access support and advice on workplace issues at any time
In Scotland and Northern Ireland , UNISON ’ s NHS ballot has closed . But for most occupational therapy staff you should have received your industrial action ballot early this month and may be thinking hard about how to cast your vote .
Why should I vote ‘ yes ’?
As your trade union , UNISON has a clear recommendation : you should vote ‘ yes ’ to strike action and action short of a strike .
Occupational therapy staff were a part of this decision , alongside representatives from every occupational group in the NHS and delegates from every part of the UK .
The fact is that the NHS pay award imposed in England , Wales and Northern Ireland is nowhere near enough . The increase of just 72p an hour won ’ t help when the costs of fuel , energy , housing and food are soaring .
It won ’ t help you or your family and it certainly won ’ t help the NHS recruit and retain staff during a historic staffing crisis .
The overwhelming discussion among members and in UNISON ’ s national occupational therapy steward committees is that workloads are rising , vacancies are left unfilled and occupational therapy staff are being forced into new areas of practice because there just isn ’ t anyone left .
At the same time , NHS pay has been reduced by 15 % in real terms over the past decade . In this context is it a surprise that vacancies are left unfilled ? Or that experienced staff are leaving , burned out from excessive caseloads ?
UNISON included all of this in our pay claim , submitted at the start of the year . But the government ignored us , and all the NHS unions .
But we have the chance with this ballot to show the government the NHS crisis cannot just be ignored .
Being prepared to take industrial action is the clearest signal healthcare professionals can provide that the situation is unsustainable . This is why it ’ s not just UNISON balloting – the Royal College of Nursing , the Royal College of Midwives and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy are all asking members to deliver a mandate for industrial action .
Every ballot is needed
This will not be easy . Strict laws mean that industrial action cannot happen where you work unless over half the UNISON members there post their ballot papers back .
If we don ’ t get the numbers , we can ’ t make industrial action into a reality the government has to respond to .
What message does it give the government if , when asked to step-up for pay , recruiting to vacancies and retaining skilled staff for proper skills mixes to avoid role erosion , NHS staff couldn ’ t even be bothered to vote ?
This government won ’ t address the NHS crisis and the low pay crisis if we just ask nicely . You have already done this . The only way to change things now is for members to vote ‘ yes ’ and return their ballots together .
Have you voted ? Have your friends and colleagues ? Read more about our ballot at https :// www . nhspay . org /.
Can ’ t find your ballot ?
If you think you should be eligible for a ballot , but you haven ’ t yet received one , it isn ’ t necessarily too late .
UNISON ’ s NHS ballot in Scotland closed on 31 October and the ballot in Northern Ireland closed on 18 November , but in England and Wales the NHS ballot is open until 25 November .
In England the ballot would have arrived in a purple envelope . In Wales your ballot envelope will be red . UNISON ’ s ballot hotline is open until 21 November in England and Wales , so give them a call if you have a ballot issue on 0800 0857 857 .
If you have a problem at work , BAOT / UNISON is there to help
Anyone can face problems at work , but if you ’ re a member of BAOT you don ’ t have to face them alone . Whether it ’ s about bullying , duty rotas , flexible working , annual leave or sickness procedures , a BAOT or UNISON rep is on hand to help , wherever you work . We are also there to support in you case of disciplinary action , dismissal or redundancy .
For help and advice at work – or to find out more about UNISON services – please contact your local BAOT / UNISON rep or go to www . unison . org . uk / get-help /.
If you need help at work 0800 0857 857 or www . unison . org . uk
November 2022 OTnews 51