The RCM advocates members reject the proposed pay offer and accept the PRB’s recommendation, but what are its reasons for this?
By Jon Skewes
Midwives magazine: June/July 2008
At the time of writing, College members are being consulted on the RCM Council recommendation to reject the proposed three-year pay offer negotiated by the health departments, NHS Employers, RCN and Unison. The College believes members should accept the NHS Pay Review Body (PRB) recommendation of an increase of 2.75% on pay and allowances for one year only. These are the RCM Council’s reasons:
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The three-year offer was negotiated outside of the usual formal structures
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The levels of uplift proposed in years two and three, given the outlook for the economy, could lead to pay cuts for members especially as the retail price index is already 4.2%
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Monies have been taken from the year four accounting period, which may impact on pay awards after the three-year offer
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There is no automatic indexation to inflation increases and this could lead to pay cuts in years two and three if inflation is above 2.4% and 2.25% respectively. Re-opened talks would be dependent on the agreement of health ministers.
The RCM has consistently supported the independent evidence-based NHS PRB and sees no reason to do otherwise. We rejected the pay offer in England last year because staging in England undermined the PRB process. Only the RCN is recommending acceptance of the three-year offer, with the majority of other NHS trade unions seeking to reject or making no recommendation. This is despite government threats not to implement the PRB award in full if the threeyear offer is rejected.
The College will keep members up to date via the RCM website.
New Stewards’ Handbook
The RCM is providing all stewards and health and safety representatives with a new, updated stewards’ handbook. It contains general information about the roles, a CD of the Agenda for Change handbook and a guide to the Knowledge and Skills Framework. Specific chapters, particularly regarding the law at work and health and safety will be available via the relaunched RCM website.
Continued Success for RCM’s Legal Services
The RCM’s free legal services are provided via Thompsons Solicitors. Recently Thompsons have secured:
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£1850 for a member who suffered injuries in a roadtraffic accident
The RCM is to announce major improvements to this service. Access to personal injury and employment-related legal assistance will be streamlined and legal support to members involving professional cases, coroner’s courts and inquests, or criminal investigation will be improved.
On-Call
A review of on-call arrangements is to take place within the NHS staff council. The RCM will be pressing for better recompense for midwives in this review, which will conclude in September next year.
Mileage Allowances
A review is under way on mileage allowances, which were increased in some areas by 10% earlier this year. With rising fuel costs, the RCM supports a further 10% increase before the review reports. This was refused by the employers at the latest national meeting and only shows how members are subsidising their employers when using their cars. It also highlights the pressure on midwives’ pockets, which could get worse if the long-term pay offer is approved.
Jon Skewes is the RCM director of employment relations and development
