Dear Members,

Following a very well attended meeting between Hull and East Riding PTS members and representatives from UNISON Branch Committee on 14.11.16 at Hull Royal Infirmary Lecture Theatre, a meeting with the Managing Director of PTS Mr Chris Dexter was requested by UNISON in order to raise directly the concerns raised by staff at the foresaid meeting.

The main concern raised by both members and ourselves was and still is the number of staff expected to TUPE across to Thames Ambulance Service and the names of those staff.

The Management team repeatedly stated to us that they are legally unable to give us this information until they have met with Thames Ambulance Service; we were given assurances that this meeting will take place during the next TEN days. The Management Team confirmed that they expect some members from YAS will TUPE across to Thames Ambulance Service. UNISON has requested, and it was agreed that the Trust will withhold from advertising ECA vacancies in YAS until TUPE numbers are confirmed.

Further to this UNISON requested that if information Via Data on areas worked would be used in helping to decide which staff could potentially qualify for TUPE over to Thames Ambulance Service that only DATA pre 2016 should be used, Management agreed to this Request. Management were asked if they intended to loan or sell any of our fleet vehicles to Thames and they replied no on both counts.

UNISON raised the question of affected staff being placed on the at risk register in order to ensure priority when applying for jobs with YAS, the Management team replied that this would not be the case as they believe TUPE offers suitable alternative employement.The Management team also stated that Thames Ambulance Service will be Holding One to One Meetings with affected members.

Regarding Pensions for affected members when pressed Management stated that they will be holding Workshops and will be pressing Thames Ambulance service to adopt the “Fair deal” Pension Scheme which would mean members would be able to maintain their NHS pension scheme.

UNISON requested that The Management team Meet PTS Staff from Hull and East Riding on a Face to Face Basis ASAP in order to address staff concerns. Mr Dexter agreed to hold a meeting, to allow members to have a Q and A session. This Meeting will be held on 08.12.16 at Hull Royal Infirmary Lecture theatre.

Would ALL local reps Please make every effort to attend, thank you all for your continued support

Yours Faithfully

UNISON Branch Committee