A Conference of all UNISON's healthcare branches on October 7 has agreed to recommend the government's NHS pay modernisation system in the forthcoming ballot of members.

The system - known as Agenda for Change - has been the subject of detailed negotiation at UK and Scottish level, pilot trials in England and a ‘paper pilot' in West Lothian. These have thrown up a number of potential problems - and allowed UNISON to negotiate further to resolve these.

Key developments have been; the uncoupling of unsocial hours negotiations from the rest of the package; the removal of the lowest incremental point and the addition of an additional point at the top of Pay Bed 1 plus the introduction of new pay band 9.

Jim Devine, Scottish Organiser for Health, said.

"Delegates representing one in two Scottish Health Service workers voted to recommend Agenda for Change to members. Although, some delegates expressed concern that some members could end up as losers unless protection is agreed."

"Scottish delegates have asked that we continue our negotiations with the Scottish Executive to ensure that no health service worker in Scotland loses out as a result of this modernisation."

In particular, UNISON wants to pursue further work to get more Admin and Clerical posts out of the need for protection, to remove some special Health bodies and to pursue the position of staff in private contractors.

Karen Jennings, UNISON's Head of Health, points out that doing nothing is not possible.

"It's an equal pay system that's designed to cut out the inequalities and demarcations that are rife in the current antiquated pay system. It is simply not an option to carry on with a system that is failing to recognise or properly reward staff for the work they do."

Ballot papers will be dispatched on 13-14 October. If you are a member working for the NHS, or for a contractor in the health service, or your pay shadows Whitley conditions and you haven't received a paper by Monday 18 October - call UNISON Direct 0845355 0845 to request one. Helpline open hours are 6.00am- Midnight Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4.00pm Saturday - it will be closed on Sundays.