Unite the union has today called for “urgent action” and responses from HMGOG to address issues of UK & GHA pay parity for the Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs) employed in the GHA & ERS.

A statement continued: “The AHPs represented by Unite include Orthoptists, Dieticians, Speech and Language Therapists, Radiographers, Biomedical Scientists, Pharmacists, Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists.

“The claim submitted to the GHA/HMGOG in June 2024 contains, but is not limited to, three key elements i) pay parity with comparable AHP roles in the UK ii) mechanisms to address pay inequality when compared to other clinical roles in the GHA and iii) a shorter pay scale to reflect the UK to facilitate quicker progression through the pay scales.

“Unite have engaged with the GHA and HMGOG Industrial Relations cooperatively and constructively; however the promised responses to the claim, which has been amended and adapted by the union through the negotiation process, have not been forthcoming."

Bochra Lasfar, Unite Regional Officer stated “The union’s AHP shop stewards have diligently researched and constructed their claim to demonstrate the disparity in pay with comparable AHP roles in the UK and to highlight issues of pay inequality with other clinical roles in Gibraltar.

 “The principles of pay parity with the UK are well founded and are a fundamental plank of public sector remuneration in Gibraltar, yet the AHPs continue to experience a demonstrable difference in pay when compared to the same professional grades in the NHS, this is even before the further analysis at GHA level. The union, our shop stewards and members have patiently navigated the industrial relations framework to bring this claim to fruition, but a standstill has now been reached and that patience has worn thin.

 “The AHPs are highly skilled, vital workers who underpin core services in our health system. By having wages that are less than their UK counterparts there is a direct impact on the ability to attract and retain high calibre professionals. This often means that the employer is having to engage locum cover at significant extra costs which further highlights paying AHPs below UK parity is a false economy in terms of the financial and service consequences of such a pay and reward policy.

 “The union has sought to re-engage with HMGOG, to encourage the sharing of recommendations that it is understood have been made to Ministry pertaining to the claim, as well as proposing potential interim solutions that will avert an escalation of any dispute, we currently await a response. Notwithstanding this the union is calling a demonstration on Thursday 5^th June of all AHP members in support of the claim”.

The demonstration will be held on Thursday 5^th June, members will assemble at Unite Transport House for 5pm and will march to No.6, where a demonstration in support of the claim will be held.