West Yorkshire Hospital Workers Win Re-Banding and Thousands of Pounds in Back Pay
Many healthcare assistants working in A&E at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust have been re-banded to a higher pay scale following a successful campaign by UNISON. These workers, who were previously on band two of the national Agenda for Change pay scale, have been undertaking clinical duties falling under band three for several years.
Thanks to the efforts of UNISON, the union representing public service workers in the UK, these healthcare assistants have now been re-banded to band three and are set to receive approximately £3,000 in back pay.
This victory marks the latest success in UNISON’s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign, which aims to ensure that workers are compensated for the work they have already done at band three level and calls for all band two staff with increased responsibilities to be paid at the appropriate rate.
Over 50 A&E staff members across Calderdale and Kirklees will benefit from this re-banding, along with the back pay that accompanies it. The deal reached with the trust is a significant step towards recognizing the hard work and dedication of these healthcare assistants.
Kimberley Cundall-Mellor, one of the healthcare assistants who will be receiving back pay, expressed her excitement about the union’s success. She emphasized that the re-banding is a recognition and reward for the exceptional care and support they provide to patients.
Gary Cleaver, UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organizer, described the news as fantastic but long overdue. He highlighted the importance of properly recognizing and compensating workers for the vital role they play in keeping the NHS running smoothly.
Moreover, Cleaver expressed optimism about the negotiations for re-banding healthcare assistants in other departments within Calderdale and Huddersfield. UNISON will continue its efforts to ensure that these workers receive the pay and respect they deserve.
The management at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust has agreed to enter negotiations with UNISON in the new year to extend the re-banding to healthcare assistants in other departments as well.
This latest victory in the Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign demonstrates the power of collective action in fighting for fair treatment and just compensation for essential workers in the healthcare sector. UNISON’s ongoing efforts have proven instrumental in securing re-banding wins across the country.
As healthcare assistants continue to provide valuable support and care to patients, it is crucial that their hard work is adequately recognized and rewarded. Through campaigns like Pay Fair for Patient Care, UNISON remains committed to ensuring fair pay and fair treatment for all healthcare workers.
The success achieved at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring other healthcare assistants and unions to fight for their rights and fair compensation. By working together, healthcare workers can create a positive change that benefits not only themselves but also the patients they serve.
This victory serves as a reminder that the contributions of healthcare assistants are vital to the smooth functioning of the healthcare system. It is imperative that their skills and responsibilities are recognized and properly acknowledged with fair compensation.
UNISON’s Pay Fair for Patient Care campaign continues to gain momentum, making a significant impact on the lives of healthcare assistants across the country. As negotiations for re-banding in other departments progress, more workers are set to benefit from the campaign’s success.
The fight for fair pay and fair treatment is far from over, but with the continued dedication and collective action of unions like UNISON, healthcare workers can continue to push for the recognition they deserve.
