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via Mike Dobson Talks between trade unions and hospital bosses failed to reach a resolution over plans to downgrade the roles of nurses. Hospital bosses claim they made progress during yesterday’s talks with unions about the dispute over their “restructuring” plans, which could see some nurses and other frontline staff facing pay cuts. But the unions say “nothing has changed” and they are now preparing a campaign rally against the Derby Hospitals NHS Trust tomorrow. The trust met with Unison and the Royal College of Nursing to try to avoid staff being balloted on strike action. Bosses offered to spend more time consulting staff over the proposals, which the unions welcomed, but they say their campaign to halt the plans will still go ahead. Andy Belfield, regional spokesman for Unison, said: “Sadly, nothing much has changed. “The trust has acknowledged that staff do not support their proposals and I’m glad they are now going to spend a few weeks talking to staff to consult them further. “But so far nothing has been done to protect the pay of our hard-working nurses who face big pay cuts, pay freezes and a cap on their wages.” But the trust believed the meeting had made progress. In a statement, it said: “The trust believes that it should now be possible for trade union officers and members to reflect on the progress made and return to working in partnership on the change agenda facing us all in the next couple of years.” For the full story, see later editions of today’s Evening Telegraph. |