Lincolnshire County Council has confirmed a career progression scheme for health visitors will be implemented in October, while robust plans remain in place to support local people in the event of further strikes called by Unite union.
“We remain committed to moving ahead with career progression plans for our health visitor workforce”, said Heather Sandy, Interim Director of Education. “We have written to staff explaining how the scheme will work and how it offers salaries beyond those available in the NHS.. All health visitors who successfully progress through the scheme will benefit in this way.
“With regard to the current industrial action, the council were disappointed that Unite, who represent about a third of the health visiting workforce, continually failed to engage with our Collective Disputes Procedure and took the step of balloting for industrial action. We have engaged with constructive dialogue with representatives from Unite with the assistance of ACAS in an attempt to resolve their dispute.
“We wish to reassure the public that if further strikes go ahead, we have plans in place to cover absences, particularly in the most vulnerable areas such as safeguarding and primary birth visits.
“Of the 116 Health Visitors employed by the Council, 58 are members of Unite. Whilst 45 of the 58 Unite members voted for industrial action, on average only 12 Health Visitors per day have taken industrial action. The vast majority of our valued workforce have continued to work as normal and are providing care for Lincolnshire’s families.
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