Joint statement on Barnstaple hospital workers agreement

A JOINT statement between Northern Devon Healthcare, Sodexo and Unison has been released today (Friday.) The trio said: We are very pleased an agreement has been reached to ensure that Sodexo staff based at North Devon District Hospital can move to terms

A JOINT statement between Northern Devon Healthcare, Sodexo and Unison has been released today (Friday.)

The trio said: "We are very pleased an agreement has been reached to ensure that Sodexo staff based at North Devon District Hospital can move to terms and conditions in line with their NHS colleagues.

Unison members today (Friday) accepted a revised offer from the Trust, which had been made during negotiations on yesterday.

The priority now will be to work through arrangements in order to implement the changes.

Trust Chief Executive Jac Kelly said: "We've always said we wanted to reach a negotiated settlement that was acceptable to everyone concerned. I'm very glad that we've reached that point."

Helen Eccles, Regional Organiser for Unison South West, said: "This is a fair deal for Unison members and we are pleased the dispute is at an end. We look forward to working in partnership with the Trust and Sodexo to complete the process of job evaluation needed to deliver equal pay for work of equal value and introduce personal development opportunities for staff through the NHS knowledge and skills framework."

Bill Buchan, Human Resources Director, Sodexo Healthcare said: "We have worked closely with the relevant parties during the negotiation process and are pleased that an agreement has been reached which will provide our staff with terms and conditions in line with Agenda for Change.