From today (8 February), RCN members employed by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will be able to vote on the 2022/23 pay award.
The ballot will ask members if they are prepared to take strike action or action short of strike.
In July 2022, the RCN and four other trade unions called for a pay award of 5% above inflation (RPI).
Despite this, in December 2022, CQC imposed a pay award far below this: 2.75% for Grade A staff, 3% for Grade B & C staff and 3.75% for Grades D to F staff. This came alongside a one-off payment of either £100 or £150.
We believe this pay award is unacceptable. It is a real-terms pay cut.
CQC staff play integral roles in preserving safety in our health and care services. To neglect their pay is to neglect patient and service-user safety. CQC must value its staff properly.
By voting for strike action, members employed by CQC can send a loud and clear message to their employer and to the government – which imposes restrictions on CQC pay – that enough is enough. CQC staff deserve better.
In England, statutory industrial action ballots must achieve at least a 50% turnout and the majority must vote yes for any action to be lawful. It’s therefore vital that every eligible member returns their ballot paper. The ballot will be carried out by our independent scrutineer Civica Election Services. Trade union legislation requires industrial action ballots to be carried out by post.
If you are an RCN member employed by CQC, you must now check that your MyRCN record is up to date with your correct postal address, workplace and job title. If you are a home worker, your place of work should be recorded as your home address.
Ballot papers will be sent to all eligible members by first class post from today, and completed ballot papers must be returned to arrive before 12 noon on 8 March 2023. With postal delays possible, please send your completed ballot papers back to Civica as early as possible.
