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North Glasgow Hospitals Branch Medical Secretaries Dispute
Monday 12 November 2001 Medical Secretaries 'vindicated in full' as deal stops strike North Glasgow Medical Secretaries will return to work tomorrow after a deal was thrashed out on incremental dates. "We have been vindicated in full" said branch secretary Carolyn Leckie. UNISON asked for ACAS involvement after the Trust reneged on that part of the deal relating to incremental dates. Retaining personal incremental progression meant an additional increment to the national framework. It has now been agreed that the Trust will apply a broad incremental increase across the board in addition to the two increments from the 'framework' (see framework deal details) and harmonise incremental dates thereafter. This represents, in financial terms 50% of an improvement on the national framework. All previously agreed aspects to the claim: eg. backdating to Oct 2000 still apply. Action is suspended pending full and final settlement. North
Glasgow Hospitals Branch UNISON,
Date: 5th. November 2001 Dear friends and colleagues, Medical Secretaries' Dispute The saga continues: - You may be aware that the strike action by medical secretaries was suspended pending full implementation of the agreement reached with North Glasgow Trust. This was a significant achievement by the medical secretaries. For reasons not yet clear, the Trust has reneged on a crucial element of the overall deal. This relates to members retaining their personal incremental date, which effectively offered them an additional increment on top of that allowed for in the ‘National Framework'. You will be aware that the central aim of this dispute was to achieve Grade 4 for medical secretaries. Without retention of personal incremental progression, Grade 4 will not be achieved immediately by a large number of secretaries. It is with regret and not a little anger that we have been forced to re-activate the strike action from last Thursday. This is a resumption of all-out, indefinite strike action. Therefore, I am again asking for your support, which has been fantastic all along. This presents the strikers and the Branch with a monumental financial challenge. We need to raise over £18000 per week in excess of national industrial action payments so that we can avoid hardship being incurred by the strikers and their families. We are doing everything we can in the way of imaginative fundraising but we need large-scale donations from Trade Union Branches etc. on a regular basis. Please do all you can to support these heroic women in their struggle. The stakes have been raised yet again and nothing less than victory can be contemplated. Thanks again for your past support, Yours
in solidarity, Medical Secretaries back out on strike! Despite an agreement that seemed to pave the way for a return to work, the refusal of management to implement part of that agreement has lead to a renewed walk-out of medical secretaries on 1 November. "The Trust are indicating that they may try to take out an injunction. The stakes have been raised again and it is even more crucial that you give your support", said Carolyn Leckie, Branch Secretary. Please send your donations to the UNISON OFFICE, CUTHBERTSON BUILDING, GRI, CASTLE ST., GLASGOW, G4 OSF. Make cheques payable to UNISON NORTH GLASGOW HOSPITALS BRANCH. 26 October 2001 UNISON
NORTH GLASGOW HOSPITALS BRANCH North Glasgow Hospitals Branch will suspend industrial action from tomorrow as a result of an improved offer by North Glasgow Trust management. Medical secretaries have been taking industrial action since the beginning of August. All out indefinite action started on 22nd. October. Following lengthy negotiations, culminating in a 7½ hour meeting on Wednesday, an improved offer was put to medical secretaries at a meeting in Glasgow Royal Infirmary this morning. The offer represented a significant shift in the Trust's position and means; •Access to the Grade 4 scale for all Medical Secretaries. •Additional incremental credit for a large number that will assist them on to the grade 4 salary scale. •Reopening of access to Proficiency allowances for all. •A total of 13 months arrears of pay, including overtime payments at the enhanced rate. (back pay from 1st October 2000). This will mean average arrears of pay of £1200 excluding overtime payments. The Trust have reinstated all annual leave that was deducted as a result of the action. Some detail and processes will be worked through in the next 2 weeks. It is hoped that the agreement will be delivered in full so that any further disruption can be avoided. Carolyn Leckie, Branch Secretary said, "Our members are delighted that their action has been successful. I am glad the Trust and the Branch have been able to reach agreement. Standing up and fighting works. Throughout this dispute we have had the support of other Trade Unionists and the general public. Public service workers don't take strike action lightly. I hope this will help to improve the confidence of other workers in improving their conditions." Frances Lyall, UNISON Steward and medical secretary said, "This is recognition at last of the justness of our claim. NHS workers, including porters, cleaners etc are undervalued. We have secured improved recognition for the job we do. But like the majority of employees in the NHS, we remain underpaid. There is still a lot to be done. I hope that this is the start of the end of low pay in the NHS. For
further information, contact: Medical Secretaries Solidarity Network On Monday 3rd of October a meeting was held in Glasgow with the striking medical secretaries and their supporters. It was agreed at the meeting to set up a medical secretaries solidarity network. The role of the network is to publicise the dispute more widely and raise financial support. The dispute has been running for a number of weeks now and may be escalating to all out action in the near future. Carolyn Leckie the branch secretary for North Glasgow hospitals appealed at the meeting for an increase in solidarity work. She highlighted some of the collections and donations that had been received, but highlighted the fact, that if they move to all out action they will need to raise in the region of £18,000 per week. We are asking people to do the following: - 1) Organise workplace collections 2) Get your branch to make a donation, preferably on a monthly basis 3) Outside Glasgow, set up your own solidarity networks 4) Organise delegation work in your area and invite a medical secretary 5) Visit the picket lines and bring messages of support from your workplace or union branch Donations can be sent to Kathy Mclean, Treasurer, North Glasgow Hospitals, Cuthbertson building, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Castle Street, Glasgow G4 OSF Phone 0141 211 4948 We would also encourage people to attend the Scottish Campaign Against Privatisation Conference on Saturday 13th of October at City Halls, Albion St, Glasgow, 1-4pm and bring along donations/messages of support for the medical secretaries. 18 September 2001 Union hits out at Trust 'threats' UNISON Scotland, Scotland's healthcare union hit back at the North Glasgow Hospitals Trust who have sent an open letter to their medical secretaries yesterday, threatening various forms of action if they continue their campaign of Industrial Action. In a strongly worded letter to Alan Boyter - the Trust Director of Human Resources - Anne Middleton, UNISON's Assistant Scottish Secretary accuses the Trust of 'Dealing out threats and intimidating a large group of female low-paid staff'. Anne also says "It would have been more constructive had you or the Trust Board put your efforts into meeting with the local Branch Officers to resolve the dispute instead of issuing threats and ultimatums to your staff." UNISON also point out that during the dispute the union has always informed the Trust of their strategy and participated in providing an Emergency Cover agreement. Anne also goes on to give the union's full support should any member be disciplined. "Should the Trust decide to suspend any members who participate in this dispute." Anne says "Or take any other action against our members then UNISON will have no other option but to protect and support our members further." The Medical Secretaries are in a third wave of strike action in a campaign to win a regrading. UNISON is clear that the issuing of threats by the Trust is likely to backfire on them, serving to galvanise an already determined group of staff. ENDS Further Information Scotland inUNISON article week 19 September 2001 Strike shows just how important they are Action by North Glasgow Medical Secretaries is biting with a three day strike by 60 members from the Surgical Division in the phase from 18 September. The pressure will then build with two-day weeks up to a full week's strike from 2 October, as they dig in to win their regrading claim lodged 15 months ago. "The strike shows just how important medical secretaries are. The Trust tried to bring in agency staff but because of the low pay and skills shortage, they couldn't get them”, said branch secretary Carolyn Leckie. "It is time the employers met our members' very moderate claim. They are risking the politically sentitive area of waiting lists. They have it in their power to avoid this and resolve the dispute”, she added. And alongside this, Lothian Acute Branch's Tom Waterson has announced his branch has also asked for a ballot. 300 Medical Secretaries are part of the escalating programme of industrial action after a 91.3% ballot vote. The action includes:
The vast majority of the strikers have participated in the picketing, rallies and they were joined by UNISON members from across Scotland at the demonstration on 1 September. "Spirits are high and determination has grown”, said Carolyn Leckie. The action is biting hard and the UNISON branch has slammed the Trust for allowing medical procedures without proper access to records. All of the strikers are women, many are single parents, and have been taking action since 8 August. Carolyn is urging branches to back them financially to complement the street stalls and fundraisers already being run by the branch. "The success of our action is dependent on your solidarity and financial support. I would ask you to raise our strike in your Branches etc. and consider a donation to relieve hardship”. DONATIONS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED SEND
TO; Thanks to all who have already sent their messages of support and donations- you will receive individual thanks. Carolyn Leckie, Branch Secretary Branch Bulletin Bulletin August 2001 300 Medical Secretaries across the North of Glasgow took 3 days of strike action last week in pursuit of their regrading claim. On the first day there was a very successful demo and rally, where support was received from all quarters. The all female strikers grew more determined and confident through the strike. Escalation and further action is planned. (but the employer doesn't know the detail yet!) Already, 2 psychological battles were one and the strikers won a commitment from the Trust not to hire agency staff and to withdraw their threat to deduct 5 days pay for 3 days strike and 2 days annual leave. The North Glasgow UNISON Branch have been pursuing a regrading claim for all medical secretaries for 14 months. They are resolute in their determination to win this fight. We need your help! The Trust have failed to resolve the dispute and the secretaries have rejected any notion that the recent National Framework proposal comes anywhere close to meeting their demands. which are:
DEMONSTRATION SAT 1ST SEPT, 11.30am, Blythswood Square, Glasgow Followed by a Rally at City Halls, Candleriggs, GLASGOW At 1.30 pm It looks like the Trust are digging in despite an extremely difficult 3 days for them. National support from other Branches and Trade Unions etc. is crucial. Please send a delegation and banners to our Saturday Demo. DONATIONS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED SEND TO; KATHY MCLEAN, TREASURER UNISON NORTH GLASGOW HOSPITALS, 2ND. FLOOR, CUTHBERTSON BUILDING, GLASGOW ROYAL INFIRMARY, CASTLE STREET, G4 OSF Thanks to all who have already sent their messages of support and donations- you will receive individual thanks. Carolyn Leckie, Branch Secretary |