Government hits back at Unite GHA comments

The Government has hit back at comments from Unite the union on a lack of progress on GHA issues.

Number Six has highlighted 38 historic claims have been closed since being raised in June last year and says it considers that to be progress.

In a statement, the government has – in its words – placed a number of important matters on the record, following Unite’sNew Year message.

Minister for Health Gemma Arias Vasquez specifically refers to comments made by Unite’s Donovan Correia on quite a few demonstrations outside Number Six and hitting brick walls.

The Government says this is factually incorrect as there were two demonstrations and that issues relating to them were resolved.

In June, it says Unite agreed 75 claims were outstanding, and though some have come in since then, 38 of those presented in June have been closed. The Government calls this progress.

It says it recognises complex and historic matters remains, including issues affecting retired staff and it is committed to working through these responsibly and transparently.

It says the GHA’s Industrial Relations Officer will now form part of the Government’s Industrial Relations team and this should be welcomed, not criticised by Unite.

It adds that a larger industrial relations team will assist with the claims remaining.

Government says Gemma Arias Vasquez’s approach to reform at the GHA is focused on fairness and equity while safeguarding patient services and protecting the taxpayer. It says this has required difficult decisions and underpins the government’s intention to implement the Agenda for Change framework.

Ms Arias Vasquez says this is about building a workforce framework that works for everyone.

She calls on Unite to sit down with Government and the GGCA to implement Agenda for Change.