Unison Glasgow Clyde & CVS Branch 

UNISON has been engaging with NHS Glasgow and Clyde interpreters in recent weeks to discuss their concerns about working for the Health Board.

A few weeks ago we held an open meeting which was attended by more than 20 interpreters following the publication of our survey. We have also met with the employers informally to discuss the concerns raised by interpreters.

Today (Mon 4 Sept), we were notified by the employers that a meeting was to take place on Tues 5 Sept to begin discussing a review of the service.

UNISON objected to the meeting being organised and conducted without trade union representation. We also expressed concerns that NHSGGC had so far ignored our concerns about terms and conditions of employment.

We have now been informed that the meeting planned for tomorrow will not go ahead and UNISON will be invited to attend the next meeting on 3 Oct.

We have also received an invitation to meet with Snr Managers to discuss the terms and conditions issues on 19 Sept.

Terms of the review

The formal terms of reference for the review have not yet been agreed or published. However it is clear from the draft paper sent to UNISON that employers want to redesign/ change the model of delivery and save money where possible.

Terms and conditions

This is an important meeting, but it is a first meeting. I propose to focus on:

• Lack of communication and PDP for interpreters

• Health and Safety specifically in relation to lone working and cross health board travel

• Travel time between jobs

• Payments when jobs are cancelled

• The job allocation process

Next Meeting

Due to the timeframe of meetings we are going to organise another OPEN meeting for all NHSGGC Interpreters. The provisional date is Thurs 5 Oct at 6pm at our UNISON Office in Empire House, 131 West Nile Street, Glasgow.

Join the facebook group specifically relating to this ongoing issue at:

www.facebook.com/groups/127667557855764/