INDUSTRIAL ACTION UP-DATE

Dear Member 

UNISON members are understandably asking questions regarding the industrial action UNISON is asking members to undertake next week. UNISON would like to assure members that the action we are asking members to undertake is legal and not putting individual members at risk, the actions have been through a rigorous national process and have been authorised by UNISON's national industrial action committee.  

UNISON envisages that the Trust will inform members they are breaching their contract of employment if they take part in the action. UNISON can clarify that any type of industrial action is a breach of contract but as stated above the action we are taking is legal and in line with current legislation.  

UNISON would also ask members taking part in the action to understand that most members of staff in the E.O.C are UNISON members and that they will be under increased pressure during this action. To try and ensure the action runs as smoothly as possible for ALL members a committee member will be in E.O.C at the start of the action and will be available throughout the dispute. 

The industrial action starts at 00:01hrs on Thursday 21st August, if a manager instructs you to break any part of the action we instruct members to reply 

"my action is in line with a legitimate industrial dispute, the trust is fully aware of this and the action is in line with current legislation therefore I will be following the instruction that has been issued to the trust, enough is enough" 

UNISON, at 11:30hrs today, issued the Trust with notice that there will be a 6 hour strike on Sunday 24th August between 15:00hrs and 21:00hrs. UNISON Accident and Emergency members are asked to fully withdraw their labour between those hours. 

If you are working a shift during these hours’ members need to undertake the following.  

If you are on a shift which started prior to 15:00 members should key off duty at 15:00 and return to base to join the picket line unless you are actively dealing with a patient, if this is the case you should complete the job sign off and then return to the picket line at your base station. Please make sure you do not sign off before 15:00hrs and ensure you complete any detail appropriately before you sign off.  

Members starting between 15:00 and 21:00 should join the picket line and not sign/key on duty until 21:00. 

UNISON fully understands that this situation is potentially daunting for some members; we do however need to stick together and be strong in these difficult times. If you have any questions please contact your local rep or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Please be reminded that all we are asking is for the Trust to revert back to recently agreed policies and procedures and stop putting members, patients and the public at risk. 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH