UNISON has given official notice to the NHS employers Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust that 250 of their staff will take their first day’s strike this Wednesday, January 31st.
This follows a 91.6 per cent ballot result in favour of strike action.
The strike action will be taken by 250 community nurses, occupational therapists and team secretaries to stop the cuts in community mental health teams which include:
• reduction in staffing numbers in community mental health teams and consequent higher caseloads, and a reduction in service to keep people well,
• job freeze on all nursing posts in the Trust as there will be 33 less nursing posts and eight less occupational therapy posts (yet they can afford an expansion of 24 extra managers at a cost of £1.25million!!),
• downgrading of most nursing, occupational therapy and admin staff,
• no guarantee of no redundancies,
• possible privatisation of four community teams,
• closure of one of the south Manchester old age day centres and seven-day support team.
Final proposals to implement these cuts were being put to the Trust board last Thursday 25th January.
That meeting was lobbied by the staff in a last minute attempt to avert the cuts and thus avert the strike.
Manchester Community Health UNISON said ahead of the lobby: ‘We will be going to make a final plea with them to stop these cuts.
‘They will know how determined we are to stop the devastation of community mental health services.
‘We are hoping they will realise how wide the opposition is and see sense.
‘Community health does need expansion, so that all clients have access to home treatment as an alternative to hospitalisation.
‘To genuinely improve our service would not take much of the government’s billions.
‘We estimate £3-4million more than they are prepared to spend.
‘We think those with severe and enduring mental health problems are worth this.’
Announcing the vote for strike action last week, Manchester Community Health UNISON said that planned cuts in community nursing, occupational therapy, team secretary and senior support worker posts will mean higher caseloads, and a reduction in service to keep people well.
As well as downgradings for those staff who keep their job, with no guarantee of no redundancies, the plans include the possible privatisation of four community teams, and the closure of one of the south Manchester old age day centres,
The 250 UNISON members plan their first strike on Wednesday, followed by a week strike in February.
This involves nurses, occupational therapists, senior support workers and admin staff in community mental health teams (old age or adult), home options team and old age day treatment centres.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust who employ these staff have offered to go to ACAS for conciliation.
But they insisted regardless of talks, on taking their final proposals to their board meeting on 25th January.
Announcing the strike ballot last month, UNISON said: ‘NHS staff overwhelmingly reject cuts in community mental health and agree to be balloted for strike action to stop these cuts.
‘They also declare “no confidence” in the executive team who have proposed these cuts.
‘Community nurses, occupational therapists and admin staff have overwhelmingly agreed to be balloted for strike action to prevent massive cuts in the community mental health teams provided by Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust.’
This strike ballot followed an Indicative Ballot
The results of the Indicative Ballot, on a 67 per cent turnout were:
Do you oppose changes in mind proposals?
Yes – 160 (99 per cent) No – 2 (1 per cent)
Do you have no confidence in the exec who made these proposals?
Yes – 157 (97per cent) No – 3 (2 per cent)
Are you prepared to take strike action to stop these proposals?
Yes – 152 (94 per cent) No – 8 (5 per cent)
In a circular to members UNISON said: ‘What happens now? There will now be a formal strike ballot.
‘Nurses, occupational therapists and admin staff in a community team (old age or adult), home options or old age day treatment centres will be sent a ballot paper at the beginning of January.
‘They will be asked to formally and legally vote to strike if these outrageous proposals are not withdrawn.
‘We do this reluctantly. But feel we have no choice.
‘Management have been completely unwilling to move on;
‘Reduction in staffing numbers in community mental health teams and consequent higher caseloads mean a reduction in service to keep people well,
‘reduction in gradings,
‘no guarantee of no redundancies,
‘possible privatisation of four community teams,
‘closure of one of the south Manchester old age day centres,
‘job freeze on all nursing posts in the Trust as there will be 33 less nursing posts and 8 less occupational therapy posts.
‘We will be going to the Board meeting on Thursday 25th January, which makes a final decision on these proposals, to make a final plea with them to stop these cuts.
‘They will know how determined we are to stop the devastation of community mental health services.
‘We are hoping they will realise how wide the opposition is and see sense. If they don’t we will strike on Wednesday January 31st to stop these cuts.
‘If they do not see sense, we are prepared to take our battle to the public.
‘Strike action of community nurses, occupational therapists and admin staff will attract large interest.
‘This is publicity the Labour government could do well without, whilst it is telling the world how great they have made the NHS.
‘They have spent more money on the NHS but have wasted it on PFI, privatisation, and accountants.
‘Our patients should not have to suffer for their policies.’
