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Change of full-time officer In a letter addressed to the Director of HR at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Regional Officer Michael Fuller has indicated that with effect from 1st January 2009 he will no
longer be responsible for members employed within the health board, and that Regional Officer Gordon Casey will be taking over (R.O. Brian McDonald remains responsible for craft and estates members). In
his letter, Mr. Fuller thanked the Director of HR and his management colleagues for their advice and assistance provided over the last 21 years. A copy of the letter, which may be downloaded here, was sent to Ian Forbes and Donald Sime: this copy of a letter to management would appear to be the Branch’s official notification of a change in regional officer coverage.
The Branch officers and senior representatives would like to welcome Gordon, and we look forward to a productive and cooperative partnership. (posted 29/12/2008) Top of page
Laboratory out-of-hours negotiations Following a lengthy break, negotiations on a local, pan-Glasgow out-of-hours agreement for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde have resumed. At a meeting held on
16th December, a number of basic principles were agreed but it would be fair to say that the two sides remain far apart in terms of what they see as being a reasonable outcome. Further meetings of
the negotiating group have been arranged for 14th January, 3rd February, 27th February and 17th March. Laboratory-based members will be kept informed of any significant progress via their local
representative. (posted 29/12/2008) Top of page
New GG&C discipline and grievance policies
Earlier this month, the Area Partnership Forum agreed pan-Greater Glasgow & Clyde discipline and grievance policies which come into effect from
1st January 2009 and replace the separate Divisional policies currently in use. The policies are available on Staffnet, but for your convenience the grievance policy may be downloaded here and the disciplinary policy here. posted 30/12/2008) Top of page
2009 Meetings
The calendar of 2009 meetings for Glasgow Health Service Branch and for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Group Committee has been published. The Branch dates may be viewed here and the Group here (posted 29/12/2008) Top of page
Unite attacks pay report
Unite’s National Officer for Health, Karen Reay said: ‘Our members voted overwhelmingly to reject the three-year pay deal imposed by the government. The PRB report is a bitter blow and we think its remit is too narrow when looking at the overall pay and employment conditions for NHS staff.’
Unite’s National Officer for Health, David Fleming said: ‘It should be made clear that Unite is still in dispute with the four health departments of the UK over the pay deal which is well
below the current rate of inflation and that we have a democratic mandate for industrial action up to and including strike action.’ ‘It is firmly in the hands of government to resolve this
dispute early in 2009. We call, once more, on the government to enter into meaningful talks on the issue of a realistic pay deal for hard-working NHS staff.’ A joint meeting of
Unite’s Health Sector National Industrial Committee will be held on Monday 12th January 2009 - attended by representatives from both the Amicus and TGWU sections - to agree the way forward’
in respect of the dispute over the three-year ‘derisory’ pay deal. (posted 19/12/2008) Top of page
Pay review body report disappointing
The NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) has decided that it will not recommend that the pay settlement of 2.4% for April 2009 should be reviewed. They also decided
that they could not support the requests for recruitment and retention premia to be paid to midwives or building craft workers. The PRB letter can be downloaded here. (posted 19/12/2008)
Pay increases for staff on organisational change protection Since the discontinuation of Whitley pay scales in 2005, there has been no clear method of applying yearly uplifts to the salaries of staff who went on to
“no detriment” protection of Whitley pay, prior to 1st October 2004, under NHSScotland’s organisational change protection policy. This issue has been discussed in partnership by
the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee (STAC) and agreement has now been reached to increase “target earnings” for staff in this position in line with yearly Agenda for Change uplifts.
The official circular may be downloaded from here (posted 17/12/2008) Top of page
Day of action: Southern General Demonstration
Branch members from numerous hospitals in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde were among the Unite members from throughout Scotland (including Dumfries and Dundee) who
demonstrated at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow on the 3rd December.. The demonstration and work to rule received reasonable publicity locally, including radio and newspapers.
 Senior representative Fiona Holland being interviewed by Real Radio


(posted 04/12/2008) Top of page
Scots legal system gets H&S division
A specialist health and safety division is to be set up by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to deal with occupational safety cases. The new divison wil be responsible for prosecuting employers who commit breaches of health
and safety legislation. The move has been welcomed by the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC). (posted 04/12/2008) Top of page
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