More than 1,500 NHS workers in the Black Country are to receive a wage rise and back pay of up to £6,975, after accepting offers from their employers following a campaign by UNISON, says the union today (Tuesday).
The clinical support staff, who work in hospitals across the Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, will be moved up a pay band this summer to reflect the increased complexity of their roles.
The workers have been performing clinical duties for several years without any extra pay. These included electrocardiogram tests and taking blood, as well as recording patient observations.
UNISON has successfully argued the increased duties performed by support staff went beyond their pay rate, band 2 of the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale.
They will now be paid at the higher band 3 rate, following talks with the trust’s chief executive and other senior managers. Staff will also receive back pay for extra work they’ve already done
UNISON West Midlands regional organiser Ollie Hopkins said: “Clinical support staff have been working above their pay band for years
“Moving to a higher wage rate means they will finally be paid fairly. And importantly, that’ll put more money in their pockets.
“These essential NHS support staff, who’re mostly women, carry out both personal care and clinical duties for patients .This deal ensures they’ll now be paid properly for all the work they do each day.”