Operational Redesign
Dear Member,
UNISON has negotiated the following with the Trust in regards to their Operational Redesign proposals; these issues have been agreed but only ‘in principal’ they will then be put to a members vote as a full package.
The Trust has agreed to postpone the implementation date by two weeks, as requested by UNISON last week, this is due to the rotas requiring analysing.
Staff Movement
The process evolution rotas would have seen over 200 staff potentially being moved, it is now not anticipated that there will be any enforced staff movement.
Rota’s
The process evolution rotas would have meant enforced staff movement and some shifts which were unpalatable to members. The proposed rotas will be made up of 10 and 12 hour shifts within five and ten week blocks. In order to increase weekend cover the 10 hour rotas will include 12hr shifts at the weekend.
If 12hrs are not accepted locally the option of working an extra weekend on 10hr shifts is also available. UNISON also proposed a self managed rota to members during the consultation period, many members were interested in this concept so it has been agreed to work on the guidelines and then possibly offer the idea to members later in the year.
Relief
The proposed rotas will be made up of five and ten week blocks with one week of relief outside the rota’s. Five week blocks will have one week of relief inside the rota and the ten week rotas two weeks. The week inside the rota is for station abstraction only and can only be used for covering your base station. The relief lines outside the rotas will be governed by the current, unchanged, procedure.
Meal Breaks
The majority of members raised concerns around the trusts proposal of an inclusive meal break, basically members wanted a break at base station where they could get a hot meal. UNISON raised these concerns and the meal break procedure will now be as follows;
- On 10hr shifts there is a 30min break uninterruptable at base station, this break must start after 3.5 and before 6.5 hours into the shift. The run back within the window is not protected for a red 1 and 2 but it is completely protected if it is outside the window, once on base station the break in uninterruptable.
- The 12 hour shifts are governed by the same principals but the meal break is 45 minutes and the meal break must have started between the 4th hour and 71/4 hour.
All breaks are unpaid and on base station. If the overall package is agreed members will no longer receive meal tickets (subsistence allowance) or the AVP from the 20th Jan 2013.
Annual Leave
The trust wanted annual leave built into the rotas, it has been agreed that members will still have the choice. Members can adhere to the current annual leave policy and have 2 weeks relief in the rotas or take annual leave whilst on relief. The current policy of 2 in10 or 20% will continue it is down to each station/rota to decide which process to follow in the allocation of annual leave, basically we have tried to protect current working practices.
Part-time/Flexible Working
Rumours were rife around flexible working/part-time members being forced off lines, the agreement is, members will go back onto their original lines. UNISON urges any members who are asked into 1-1s with the trust to take a UNISON rep into the meeting.
Urgent Tier
After much lobbying by UNISON, the Trust has agreed that there is a need for an urgent tier, even though this wasn’t part of the original document UNISON believes it is a major breakthrough especially when it comes to securing contracts within Yorkshire.
Once again, please be aware these are agreements ‘in principle only’ but we felt it necessary to inform you of progress made in the negotiations. The final package presented to members will include all the station rotas and all the relevant policies and procedures.
UNISON appreciates members will still have questions, please contact your local rep or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the first instance.
Please be reminded that the final package will be put to members and meetings will be arranged in the New Year.
Join UNISON today to ensure your voice is heard in the forthcoming Operational Redesign vote.
