Foundation Trusts
Despite the national exploratory discussions on delivering an employment guarantee however, some FTs are already seeking a fundamental re-negotiation of AfC. Some employers want to explore areas of AfC (such as the level of occupational sick pay) for which there is not any facility for local agreement. Likewise, the removal or ‘freezing’ of annual increments is not something that AfC allows for. ERD has produced a more detailed briefing and position statement on this matter for officers summarised as follows:
Because of the fluid political national context the position below is necessarily dynamic and will be continuously reviewed.
- There can be no local agreement to change AfC terms and conditions that currently do not allow for local negotiation.
- Even for areas where there is freedom to bargain in AfC, as it is clear the freedoms are about bargaining for ‘equivalent’ or greater benefits, the RCN should resist attempts by local employers to negotiate changes.
