NHS Grampian Further Questions and Answers for staff – Monday 28 November This information is provided to supplement the global email issued on Wednesday 23 November
Why have the strikes been called? The industrial action is not directed against NHS Grampian or against the Scottish Government. A number of unions have balloted their members about industrial action because of proposed changes to pensions for public sector workers. In general terms the UK Government is suggesting that public sector workers will need to:
pay more into their pensions work for longer accept a pension based on a "career average" salary, rather than the current final salary arrangement
The unions, however, say the proposals will leave their members paying more and working longer for less. I have heard that NHS Grampian is running a Sunday service on Wednesday 30 November. Is this true? No. NHS Grampian’s first priority is to maintain emergency and urgent care, including certain time-critical clinical services such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and renal dialysis. However, in addition, NHS Grampian does intend to run as much planned activity as possible – both outpatient clinics and inpatient admissions. This will be significantly more than the level of service provided on a Sunday. Detailed assessments have been taking place to obtain a general picture of how many staff will be at work. On the basis of this information, judgements are being made which activity can go ahead and which will be postponed and patients are being contacted if we need to postpone their appointment. Can you provide advice on crossing a picket line? You have the right to attend work without being harassed or threatened in any way. If you experience any such difficulties crossing the picket line you should report this immediately to your line manager or a senior manager once you have entered the building. This will be escalated as a matter of urgency. The unions that balloted their members for industrial action have sought permission from the Chief Executive of NHS Grampian for a legal picket line at the concourse entrance of ARI, adjacent to the bus terminus. This request was granted. This will be the only authorised picket line on the Foresterhill site. There may be other picket lines on the public roads outside our sites. Picket lines will only be in place until midday. Picket lines can contain a maximum 6 people who have the right to speak to people entering the building and to hand out literature and seek to persuade you not to cross the picket line. Equally you have a right to attend work and pickets do not have the right to obstruct the entrance/exit or path of anyone trying to enter a building/workplace.
How will payroll know that I participated in the strike? Services will inform payroll of who did not attend work and payroll will deduct a day’s pay accordingly. Managers will receive specific information about how this is to be recorded on SSTS, or manually for those who do not use SSTS. How do I record my time for the strike on my flexi sheet? If you participate in strike action you should record your hours as 7.5 hours (if you are contracted to work full-time 37.5 hours per week), or your normal working hours for the day. This should not be recorded as working time, but in the same manner as you would record unpaid or annual leave. It must be clearly marked as ‘strike action’ Will my continuous service be broken if I participate in the strike? Participating in the strike day will not affect your continuous service. Will participating in the strike day break my service for my pension contributions? Yes. Time lost to industrial action does not count as pensionable service. If you participate in the strike action you will also have a day’s pay deducted. . I do support the concerns about pensions but I don’t want to strike. Is there any other way I can show my support? Any member of staff, whether a union member or not has the right to take industrial action. On this occasion, 30 November, disciplinary action will not be taken against any employee who decides to take industrial action or who refuses to cross a picket line, but the appropriate pay will be deducted. However many staff do not support strike action, but are sympathetic and concerned about the proposed changes to pensions. One way to make your views known is to contact your MP as this is a UK Government issue. If you have other ideas about how NHS Grampian can assist with your concerns about pensions please let us know. When does the strike action start? Is it at midnight and can I walk off my 12 hour shift at midnight? No. Staff do not have the right to leave their workplace in the middle of a shift to take industrial action. For example, if you are rostered to work from 7pm on Tuesday 29 November to 7am on Wednesday 30 November you must finish your shift. If I take industrial action or refuse to cross a picket line when will my pay be deducted? All deductions of pay relating to this day of action will be reflected in the December 2011 pay. How can I find out more? If you have a specific question, ask your line manager or your staff side representative.
