FRIDAY 9TH MARCH 2001

PROGRESS MADE ON NHS PHARMACISTS PAY

Following a series discussions the National Agreement has been reached
on a settlement of the NHS Pharmacists 2000/2001 Pay Claim.

This provisional agreement provides for an improved 2 year pay deal
which sees the following:

For 2000/2001

A 3.25% increase in salary.

A 3.25% increase in London allowances.

For 2001/2002

A 3.7% increase in salary uplift.

A 3.7% increase in London allowance.

A 3.7% increase in emergency duty commitment responsibility allowance.

This represents as significant improvement on the original offer
rejected by staff side.  The advance letter has been issued on 10th
March and back pay and allowances due should be received by members in
their March salary.

Within the Advance Letter is the resolution of a number of outstanding
issues resulting from confusing interpretations of the 1999/2000 pay
settlement.

There is also a reminder to NHS employers that they have the ability to
pay a pay supplement of up to 20%, where departments experience
recruitment and retention difficulties.

The main controversy within the negotiations was in connection with the
absence of a nationally agreed uplift in emergency duty commitment
allowance for 2000/2001.  National negotiations are to continue on this
matter.  However, the Guild  will be issuing guidelines to members on
the submission of local claims in view of the recommendations in the
Advance Letter, which directs Trusts to consider claims submitted by
Pharmacists for local agreement on emergency duty commitment uplift for
2000/2001.

The Section General Secretary of the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists,
Gerry Looker, stated "We are disappointed that Management Side fail to
increase the emergency duty commitment responsibility allowance for 2000
in line with the salary uplift.  This we believe is well established
custom and practice.  However, we will be supporting members initially
in the submission of claims at Trust level for an improvement to this
allowance at least in line with the salary uplift.  We will also be
monitoring developments which will include approaches by our
representatives to the devolved Parliament in Scotland and the
Assemblies in Wales and Northern Ireland on this matter."

For further information please contact Gerry Looker at MSF Regional
Centre, Unit 1 Pelham Court, Pelham Road, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, NG5
1HA.  Tel: 0115 960 9100
or Ron Pate at District Pharmacy Office, Administration Block, Wordsley
Hospital, Wordsley, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 5QX.  Tel:  01384
244430
--
Anthony Cox
Webmaster for The Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists
http://www.***.com/