NHS Tayside blamed for 'obstructing' pay upgrade for pharmacy workers
The Scottish terms and conditions committee agreed with staff's demands but said it couldn't be completed until they carry out training
Last updated 18th Nov 2019
NHS Tayside is being blamed for 'obstructing' a pay upgrade for pharmacy staff.
The scottish terms and conditions committee (STAC) agreed with workers pay demands - but said it couldn't be implemented until they carry out training.
Staff begin their second week back this morning after three months of strike action.
Susan Robertson, Unite regional industrial officer, said: “Unite has called for an urgent meeting with STAC to discuss our serious concerns over NHS Tayside’s skewed interpretation of the job evaluation outcome.
"The fact is that the pharmacy support workers have finally won their fight to be paid at a higher band by the national board which adjudicates on these matters. ]
"But, we now have NHS Tayside attempting to obstruct its implementation by refusing to train them so the workers can receive it.
"Unite will be meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Sport, Jeane Freeman, tomorrow to ensure that the Scottish Government is fully briefed on the incompetency and arrogance of NHS Tayside Senior Managers.”
NHS Tayside says it welcomes the outcome and accepts all the recommendations put forward by STAC.
Responding to the outcome, George Doherty, Director of Workforce, said, “NHS Tayside welcomes the outcome of the independent process relating to the role of Pharmacy Support Worker in Tayside. As we committed, the Board has accepted the outcome of the STAC panel in full.
“NHS Tayside has always sought to resolve this issue in good faith and had stated from the beginning of the process that it would implement the outcome of the STAC review.
"STAC has set out very specific recommendations and directions to both NHS Tayside and Unite and has sought assurances that both parties will now apply the job description according to these specific details. NHS Tayside has provided these assurances.
"Staff training is just one element in the STAC determination and it must be recognised that NHS Tayside does provide training and there is a programme already in place in the Pharmacy Department.
“Staff returned to work last week and we were very pleased to welcome them back into their workplaces across Tayside.
"We will be meeting with pharmacy staff to share the STAC panel’s findings in further detail early this week.
This will allow us to set out the next steps which we will be putting in place to support them as we work through what the determination means for individual members of staff.
“It is really important for us to continue to work with our union colleagues and we have also arranged further discussions with Unite this week."