While it is still unclear what AFC will ultimately mean to us, I felt that at least there was something in writing, some good, some not so good, with some sort of safety net.
Many years ago I stood outside the factory gates in protest at the offer made to the engineering staff, after several months of token stoppages we had a deal imposed on us that was a fraction of what was originally offered.
This was then carried on for many years, we were powerless to do anything about the draconian "increases" imposed on us year after year. In real terms we lost out year on year. The only recourse was to leave and go to another company, nearly all of which were operating the same system. This was mainly because union membership was only about 20% of the workforce.
I don't know the % of memebership in EBME depts throughout the NHS but without full or a large majority of members I can see that whatever is considered by our NHS/Govt. masters will be imposed on all of us.Maybe far less than has already published.
I may well be wrong, as usual, but I felt that agreeing in principle with a chance to agree or disagree the final deal when fully worked out was the right option.
Sorry for disappointing some of you guys, I hope it does all work out for us in the end OK.
