Health union gains recognition


The TUC-affiliated Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association has finally gained recognition and national bargaining rights in England from NHS Employers, following years of talks. 


The 3,000-strong union will now join the British Medical Association in all national negotiations on pay and terms and conditions covering hospital doctors in England. This is the first time there have been two nationally recognised professional unions negotiating directly with employers on behalf of hospital doctors in England. The HCSA is seeking similar national collective rights in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.


The union’s CEO/general secretary, Eddie Saville, said: “This is a milestone for the HCSA and places us at the national negotiating table in our own right, something that has eluded us for over 65 years. … I believe we will be able to make an enormous contribution to negotiations as we go forward.” He said he would be writing to chief executives of all NHS trusts in England to request equal status at local trust level.


TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said that NHS patients’ interests “will be well served by the campaigning work of HCSA for a properly resourced NHS”.

https://www.hcsa.com/news-views/news/2017/01/hcsa-secures-national-negotiating-rights.aspx

https://www.hcsa.com/news-views/news/2017/01/hcsa-wins-recognition-a-message-to-members.aspx