04/05/2010
Attn: Frontline Operational Unison members in the Essex and North East (N&S) Localities
Ref: Skills Mix arrangements
The East of England Ambulance branch of Unison would like to start by recognising that the aforementioned members who will have received a formal notification letter through their letterboxes this week giving 90-days’ notice of the Trust’s intention to make changes to their current arrangements in line with a review of the existing skill’s mix in your area.
These same members will also no doubt be wondering why Unison has “signed up” to this review but we would like to stress from the outset that the level of Unison agreement in relation to this matter extends only as far as agreeing that;
- A fair process of consultation is undertaken;
- A collective 90-day notice period would be used for all staff affected irrespective of their contract type;
- The format of the letter was consistent with the individual’s circumstance(s).
- The rationale used to identify the staff affected would be consistently applied (for example; Paramedic “A” occupying an EMT line at Station “X” would be asked to swap lines with EMT “Y” who is occupying a Paramedic line elsewhere)
We would however, like to extend our apologies to the affected members for the delay in issuing a branch statement relating to these changes, thereby leaving staff to find out only when the envelope dropped through their letterboxes.
Members will be supported throughout the forthcoming consultation process but are asked to contact your local representative as soon as they receive notification of their individual meeting.
On another note, we would like to flag up the forthcoming pressures our North Eastern and Yorkshire branches are facing with a threat to their current and very favourable AFC terms and conditions of employment. We will be keeping an eye on their endeavours to protect their current arrangements because if their employer succeeds in dismantling them then it may not be long before these outcomes will be considered by our own employers..
Gary Applin, EMT, MIAM, Dip. Law (Employ)
Branch Secretary
East of England Ambulance UNISON Branch 20106
07508111191
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