This site is intended for health professionals only

Campaign planned against unfair pay system, says GMB

Campaign planned against unfair pay system, says GMB
7 May 2015



The General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trade Union (GMB) for NHS staff is planning a campaign against the introduction of a two-tier in a new company set up by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

GMB says 2,500 staff could be transferred to SABP Care Ltd, a new private company set up by the Trust, ona type of payroll system in which one group of workers receives lower wages and/or employee benefits than another.

The General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trade Union (GMB) for NHS staff is planning a campaign against the introduction of a two-tier in a new company set up by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

GMB says 2,500 staff could be transferred to SABP Care Ltd, a new private company set up by the Trust, ona type of payroll system in which one group of workers receives lower wages and/or employee benefits than another.

On 9 May 2014 Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust registered SABP Care Ltd as Private Limited Company and the company is 100% owned by Surrey & Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. The stated aim of the company is to grow new services and markets.

However, Paul Maloney, GMB southern regional secretary, said: "GMB is far from convinced that this is the real aim. GMB see this as potentially enabling the transfer of 2,500 NHS staff who could be forced into a two-tier workforce situation and eventually into a reduced terms and conditions contract of employment.

“GMB will vigorously oppose any back door privatisation and we will defend the NHS and employee terms and conditions."

Fiona Edwards, chief executive of Surrey and borders partnership, said: “The GMB assumptions are totally unfounded and we have absolutely no plans to transfer our NHS staff to our private company. In fact, we are committed to remaining with the national NHS terms and conditions for our Surrey and Borders Partnership employees following discussions with staff last year.

“We registered SABP Care Limited in 2014 with the aim of achieving success in growing new services and markets. Currently we are exploring several opportunities to provide non NHS funded services both nationally and internationally but have yet to employ anyone in the company,” she said.

Want news like this straight to your inbox?

Related articles