SENT VIA EMAIL
Ms. Stacey Hunter, Group Chief Executive Office,
Prof. Derek Bell, Group Chairperson,
North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust &Soutth Tees NHS Foundation Trust
University Hospital of North Tees
Hardwick Road
Stockton-on-Tees
TS19 8PE
16 May 2024
Dear Stacey & Derek,
Further to previous correspondence, I write to you both again to request an urgent meeting to explore how we might open negotiations to resolve the Health Care Assistant dispute.
Negotiations
A recent statement was made suggesting the Trusts are prepared to talk with UNISON, referencing ACAS conciliation. This statement seems at odds with the facts. The Trusts only agreed to attend on the explicit condition it was not a negotiation meeting. At the meeting, the Trusts reiterated their refusal to negotiate, and ACAS subsequently withdrew their involvement as a result. Can you confirm if you are now prepared to meet with me to explore how we might open negotiations to resolve this dispute?
Evidence
In response to your recent statement that “neither Trust were aware that HCAs were working outside their grade prior to 2021”, HCAs are collectively providing evidence that the Trusts were in fact training staff to undertake the Band 3 duties for years prior to 2021. Evidence already provided includes testimony to Professor Bell by HCAs, on Thursday 2 May, at The Friarage. Further evidence will be provided next week, and when the Trusts have responded to subject access requests that have been submitted by hundreds of UNISON members.
Use of agency workers to cover strike shifts
Another very important issue raised with you on several occasions by UNISON and which requires an urgent response is the use of NHSP agency workers during industrial action. Our members have provided evidence suggesting the trusts may have broken the law by using agency workers to do work normally undertaken by striking workers. The Trusts’ inadequate response to date is wholly unacceptable and has forced UNISON to seek legal advice and submit a Freedom of Information request. UNISON has yesterday provided the Trust with detailed evidence appearing to show NHSP agency workers are being used routinely across South Tees Hospital next week to cover work normally undertaken by striking HCAs.
In summary
UNISON is at a loss as to why the trust does not want to show it values staff by agreeing to meet UNISON to find a resolution to this dispute. UNISON members have shown they have been working above their grade for many years and quite reasonably are just asking to have this work recognised and for them to be treated with respect.
As Regional Secretary, I am writing again in the hope you are agreeable to an urgent meeting so we can discuss how we may find a resolution to this dispute.
UNISON values our members and is committed to fully supporting for them at this difficult time and in their pursuit for fair pay for patient care. They really are worth it.
Yours sincerely,
Clare Williams
Regional Secretary
UNISON Northern
