‘Fighting its’ members corner’

Staff members at The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Unite being their recognised trade union to represent them on pay and employment issues.

The 200 plus staff members voted by 87 per cent on a 76 per cent turn-out in favour trade union representation, following two rounds of redundancies at the RCGP since the start of the pandemic last year.

The RCGP, founded in 1952, is the professional body for more than 50,000 GPs. The employees work to maintain and encourage standards in general medical practice, as well as supporting GPs through all stages of their career.

Unite regional officer Matt Freeman said, “We are delighted that the staff at the RCGP have voted in such overwhelming numbers that they wished Unite to be their recognised trade union in making representations to management on such key issues as pay, terms and conditions, and consultations.

“I think the staff were very conscious that many organisations have had to shed jobs since the start of the pandemic and the RCGP itself has had two rounds of redundancies.

“A year or so ago we had very few members and no organisation at the college – this victory shows what can be achieved when members and reps work collectively in pursuit of union recognition.

“Unite looks forward to continuing a constructive dialogue with RCGP management to help chart the best course for the organisation and its employees as we enter into the post-pandemic world,” he added.

Also commenting, Unite national officer for the not for profit sector Siobhan Endean said, “We are delighted to welcome RCGP staff who wish to become members of Unite which has a strong reputation in fighting its members’ corner across the community, youth workers and not for profit sector.”

 

*Main pic of models for illustration purposes only

By Shaun Noble