UNISON
It ’ s not just about the pay , it ’ s about being recognised . We ’ re not asking to be managers , just to be paid fairly for the work we ’ re doing .”
UNISON
UNISON membership is included in your RCOT membership for most occupational therapy staff . Make sure your employment and contact details are up to date with my . unison . org . uk so you always get the most relevant information directly by email
that promote pay transparency , the constant challenge of pay discrimination , and equal opportunities for disadvantaged groups to advance in their careers .
This shared aim shouldn ’ t just be about finally publishing a pay gap report that has the right figures in the right columns , it ’ s about the lives of countless workers who will get the pay and recognition they deserve .
If we succeed in making this permanent change , we will make sure that future generations can enter the workplace with the confidence that they will be treated fairly .
Equal pay in action – on the picket lines with support workers in Wirral
One of our most dynamic campaigns for equal pay now is being fought in health branches across every UNISON region . Dedicated clinical support workers , healthcare assistants and healthcare support staff have been regularly performing important duties above the level of responsibility their employers pay them for and are being systematically underpaid .
Over 400 health staff at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ( WUTH ) took strike action last month , the first strike of solely clinical support workers in NHS history after an overwhelming majority ( 99 %) of clinical support workers voted to strike in a recent UNISON ballot .
Clinical support workers are some of the lowest paid workers in the NHS . As roles have evolved and hospitals have struggled with staffing , they have taken on more clinical responsibilities without the pay and recognition to match .
The clinical support workers are employed at Band 2 , but regularly perform duties at Band 3 level . UNISON says these employees should be paid at least £ 2,000 more a year in recognition of the tasks they perform .
The strike is the first in UNISON ’ s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign , which has seen thousands of workers re-banded to Band 3 .
In response to UNISON ’ s campaigning , seven health trusts across the northwest have moved many low-paid clinical support worker staff onto the higher rate and paid the affected staff backpay from April 2018 .
UNISON member Nikki has been a clinical support worker at WUTH for 19 years . She took part in the strike in the hope that it will bring about change . She said : ‘ I ’ m fed up with doing the work of a Band 3 and only being recognised and appreciated as a Band 2 . It ’ s not just about the pay , it ’ s about being recognised . We ’ re not asking to be managers , just to be paid fairly for the work we ’ re doing .
‘ We ’ ve been doing these roles for many years without question and nobody took any notice of the matter until UNISON supported us to fight our corner . I work in theatre , and there are plenty of jobs we ’ re being asked to do , and if we say “ that ’ s not my job ”, we ’ re told “ yes , but you can do that , so go and do that ”.
‘ This is the first time in NHS history that clinical support workers are going on strike . We don ’ t want to have to strike . We all love our jobs and are dedicated to our patients . But you have to stand up for what you believe in and what is right , and if nobody ’ s listening to us , we don ’ t have a choice .’
It ’ s not just about the pay , it ’ s about being recognised . We ’ re not asking to be managers , just to be paid fairly for the work we ’ re doing .”
Protecting you at work
For help and advice at work – or to find out more about UNISON services – please contact your local BAOT / UNISON rep , branch https :// branches . unison . org . uk / or go to www . unison . org . uk / get-help /.
If you need help at work 0800 0857 857 or www . unison . org . uk
October 2023 OTnews 59