GHP does not have a no strike policy.

As part of Unite, our members are entitled to take part in the industrial action planned for November 30th. Unite expects all of its members to take part in the industrial action and the Guild encourages our members to support this position. We also understand that each individual member will have to decide for themselves what action they are prepared to take. A strong message needs to be sent to Government that enough is enough and the proposed changes to the NHS Pension scheme at this time are unjustified and a step too far. The decision to embark on a day of action has not been taken lightly, but is a response to the Government's lack of willing to engage in meaningful negotiations. We want meaningful negotiations to take place covering necessary changes to the NHS Pension scheme to ensure it remains viable not the imposition of unjustified changes.

We know our members are proud to work in the NHS and we are aware of our members' total commitment to patient care. GHP and Unite fully support this commitment. Therefore, Unite have issued guidance to its members working in the NHS as to the nature of the action on November 30th. We are proposing that on November 30th, a bank holiday level of service is provided and essential services are delivered rather than all out strike action. These services may include for example, in patient dispensary services or cytotoxic preparation services.

Unite advice on cover in the NHS during industrial action is available at:
http://www.unitetheunion.org/sectors/health_sector/nhs_pensions_reform/unite_guidance_on_cover_in_the.aspx


Managers of departments will have to determine which services are essential and how they are going to provide them. Unite have suggested that staff side representatives should work with managers to help define which essential pharmacy services should be delivered on the day and how many pharmacists are required to deliver these services. However, it is the departmental manager's responsibility to ensure safe services are delivered and NOT union members. We also appreciate that a number of our members are Chief Pharmacists and as Accountable Officers for their organisations we understand that many of them may decide to attend work on November 30th to ensure safe and essential services are delivered. We fully support this position.

When planning service delivery, managers should assume all trade union members will be taking part in the industrial action. Individual members do not have to give any notice of their intentions to take part in this legal industrial action. Notice was given to employers within the statutory framework. Staff side representatives may wish to canvas their members to determine who would be willing to work on November 30th if their services are required to maintain a safe AND essential level of service. If asked, members are under no obligation to provide this information, but we would advise that our members do co-operate with managers and staff side leads in ensuring essential services are maintained. If you have to cross a picket line on November 30th to deliver essential services, explain to the pickets that you are needed on the day to provide an essential service to maintain patient care.

Those staff working on November 30th may wish to contribute some or all of their earnings for the day to the Unite strike fund or a charity of their choice. GHP are recommending International Health Partners as our preferred charity for donations if you do not have your own preferred charity. Click here to be directed to their website to make a donation.

Unite members taking part in the day of action can apply for strike pay of £30. Claim forms are available from Regional Offices of Unite and will have to be accompanied with proof of loss of earnings due to participation in the industrial action (pay slip). Unfortunately this is not available to those who have been members for less than 13 weeks. Further information is available from Staff Side representatives. However, all members up to and including 29th November are entitled to take part in the day of action, irrespective of when they joined.

Event Map
On November 30th, there are lots of events planned to raise awareness of the issues with the way the Government are treating public sector workers. You can find an event by clicking here

Frequently Asked Questions
The Guild have developed some FAQs and related answers that members may find useful.


November 25th 2011