CQC inspectors to strike over pay

Hundreds of Care Quality Commission staff are to strike over pay next month, including those working in inspections teams. 

CQC staff belonging to Unison, PCS and Unite unions are to strike on 2 May, which will see “urgent inspections” delayed until after the strike, they announced today.

Staff groups striking will include inspection, call centre and data analysis teams. The action will coincide with the Royal College of Nursing 48-hour strike action planned over the May bank holiday weekend. 

In addition, unions confirmed last week that CQC members would take “action short of a strike” from 17 April for six months. This will see staff working to contracted days and hours, taking all statutory breaks and not taking on voluntary overtime, among other actions.

Last year, CQC staff were given a pay increase of between 2.75 per cent and 3.5 per cent, with employees also receiving a one-off payment of between £100 and £150. The regulator has been lobbying the Treasury to remove it from civil service pay frameworks, in a bid to increase staff salaries. 

Unison national officer Matthew Egan said: “CQC employees do a vital job to ensure that patients, care home residents and others in need of support receive safe care.

“It’s a huge deal that CQC workers have decided to strike. Employees are reluctant to take action but many are struggling. Their wages have failed to keep up with the rising cost of living.

“CQC workers are critical in ensuring that registered providers and services deliver care safely. The government must recognise their contribution and let the employer reward them accordingly to limit disruptions.”

A CQC spokesperson said: “We have received notification that three of our trade unions, Unison, Unite and PCS, will be striking on Tuesday 2 May 2023. PCS members will also be striking on Friday 28 April and Wednesday 3 May 2023.

“We will remain in close contact with the unions during this time.”