Dear Member
You will be aware that UNISON is calling on its members to undertake 12 hours of strike action on Thursday 29 January 2015 commencing at 09:00am and ending at 09:00pm. Below is some useful information for all members taking part:
FAQ ‘ s from NHS members about taking strike action
Are nurses and HCAs allowed to take strike action?
YES—nurses and HCAs have the same right to take industrial action as the vast majority of workers in the UK. In 2011, the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirmed that their Code of Conduct ” does not prohibit nurses and midwives from taking part in lawful industrial action ” .
What happens if only part of my shift is during a strike day?
When members vote to take strike action, a date will be selected for the action to take place. If your shift covers times/dates where action starts or finishes you should present for work during the times not identified as part of the strike. During strike you should leave work and join your colleagues on the picket line of your usual workplace. You may request ‘time owing’ or annual leave for the part of the shift you are expected to work but this must be agreed with your manager. The Trust may pay you for the time you have worked. If they decide not to pay you for any part of the shift they will need to make this clear prior to the date of the action.
What about patient care?
UNISON members take patient care very seriously. All the main unions in health have committed at a national level to co-ordinate to ensure that there are sufficient staffing levels to provide emergency cover on the day of action and the employer will have at least 7 days notice of any action. Patients will still be cared for. Policies such as the ” 1% for some ” pay offer following years of pay freezes have a far more damaging effect on patient care than short term industrial action which opposes these policies. We know from talking to our members how many have had to take on a second job or taken out loans to make ends meet. We know they are working longer and harder than ever as staffing levels are low. We also know fewer people will be attracted into these important clinical roles going forward. Despite the best efforts of our members to maintain standards, the current austerity policies, not to mention the gradual privatisation of health services, put patient care at risk. Many clinical workers see taking action to protect the NHS and the terms and conditions of its staff as a necessary means of protecting patient care, where negotiations have failed.
Do I have to tell my manager if I’m taking strike action?
No you don’t. We can’t stop them asking, but you are under no obligation whatsoever to inform your employer whether or not you intend to take action. NHS Employers guidelines to their managers makes this very clear.
I’m not in the union but I don’t want to let my colleagues down or cross the picket line.
You can join UNISON up to and including on the picket line and enjoy the protection to cover you taking legitimate strike action in solidarity with your colleagues.
I can’t afford to go on strike…
Times are hard and your pay is worth a lot less than it used to be as it hasn’t kept up with the cost of living. Taking strike action does mean sacrificing a day’s pay, but we are taking this action to oppose the austerity policies that are making our lives so much harder. Where members are in real hardship they will be able to apply to the Branch’s hard- ship strike fund for financial help. If you are worried you should discuss this with your branch by contacting the branch office on 0161 716 3392
Are there any additional ways I can get involved to support the campaign?
Lots!! Spread the word and encourage your UNISON colleagues to participate in the bal- lot: we need a strong turnout and a clear YES vote! We are also looking for members to get involved with planning the action and will be setting up a strike committee over the next few weeks. Again, contact the branch if you would like to get involved. If you can afford it, donations to the strike fund will help support colleagues who are in difficulty.
If you have any other questions, issues to raise, or comments
to make, please get in touch via the methods below:
Branch Telephone: 0161 716 3392
Twitter: @UNISONPennCare
Facebook: Search for Unison Pennine Care Health Branch
Website: www.penninecareunison.org
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UNISON STRIKE ACTION: Thursday 29 January 2015
Dear Member
You will be aware that UNISON is calling on its members to undertake 12 hours of strike action on Thursday 29 January 2015 commencing at 09:00am and ending at 09:00pm. Below is some useful information for all members taking part:
FAQ ‘ s from NHS members about taking strike action
Are nurses and HCAs allowed to take strike action?
YES—nurses and HCAs have the same right to take industrial action as the vast majority of workers in the UK. In 2011, the Nursing and Midwifery Council confirmed that their Code of Conduct ” does not prohibit nurses and midwives from taking part in lawful industrial action ” .
What happens if only part of my shift is during a strike day?
When members vote to take strike action, a date will be selected for the action to take place. If your shift covers times/dates where action starts or finishes you should present for work during the times not identified as part of the strike. During strike you should leave work and join your colleagues on the picket line of your usual workplace. You may request ‘time owing’ or annual leave for the part of the shift you are expected to work but this must be agreed with your manager. The Trust may pay you for the time you have worked. If they decide not to pay you for any part of the shift they will need to make this clear prior to the date of the action.
What about patient care?
UNISON members take patient care very seriously. All the main unions in health have committed at a national level to co-ordinate to ensure that there are sufficient staffing levels to provide emergency cover on the day of action and the employer will have at least 7 days notice of any action. Patients will still be cared for. Policies such as the ” 1% for some ” pay offer following years of pay freezes have a far more damaging effect on patient care than short term industrial action which opposes these policies. We know from talking to our members how many have had to take on a second job or taken out loans to make ends meet. We know they are working longer and harder than ever as staffing levels are low. We also know fewer people will be attracted into these important clinical roles going forward. Despite the best efforts of our members to maintain standards, the current austerity policies, not to mention the gradual privatisation of health services, put patient care at risk. Many clinical workers see taking action to protect the NHS and the terms and conditions of its staff as a necessary means of protecting patient care, where negotiations have failed.
Do I have to tell my manager if I’m taking strike action?
No you don’t. We can’t stop them asking, but you are under no obligation whatsoever to inform your employer whether or not you intend to take action. NHS Employers guidelines to their managers makes this very clear.
I’m not in the union but I don’t want to let my colleagues down or cross the picket line.
You can join UNISON up to and including on the picket line and enjoy the protection to cover you taking legitimate strike action in solidarity with your colleagues.
I can’t afford to go on strike…
Times are hard and your pay is worth a lot less than it used to be as it hasn’t kept up with the cost of living. Taking strike action does mean sacrificing a day’s pay, but we are taking this action to oppose the austerity policies that are making our lives so much harder. Where members are in real hardship they will be able to apply to the Branch’s hard- ship strike fund for financial help. If you are worried you should discuss this with your branch by contacting the branch office on 0161 716 3392
Are there any additional ways I can get involved to support the campaign?
Lots!! Spread the word and encourage your UNISON colleagues to participate in the bal- lot: we need a strong turnout and a clear YES vote! We are also looking for members to get involved with planning the action and will be setting up a strike committee over the next few weeks. Again, contact the branch if you would like to get involved. If you can afford it, donations to the strike fund will help support colleagues who are in difficulty.
If you have any other questions, issues to raise, or comments
to make, please get in touch via the methods below:
Branch Telephone: 0161 716 3392
Twitter: @UNISONPennCare
Facebook: Search for Unison Pennine Care Health Branch
Website: www.penninecareunison.org