The Way Forward Agreement Update

Dear Member,

 

Yesterday the Trust issued a Staff Notice entitled ‘The Way Forward Agreement Update’, following the Trust issuing the notice we quickly responded by stating the following on our website and Facebook page;

 

‘.............UNISON wish to reassure members that whilst UNISON  has been in discussions with the Trust UNISON HAS NOT AGREED the package, it will be our members who will need to vote whether they are happy to accept the final negotiated package..............’

 

The notice was issued by the Trust whilst the Branch Committee were discussing how the negotiations were progressing and what action we would take if the Trust didn't adhere to the 4 month timescale agreed with ACAS.

 

The agreement update doesn’t explain everything and as such UNISON would like to clarify the following;

 

  • Two paramedic job descriptions went to panel, as agreed with ACAS, the current generic paramedic JD and the new Paramedic Plus JD. The outcome of the panel was that the paramedic plus JD came out as an agreed band 6 however agreement could not be reached regarding the generic paramedic JD which will now have to go through the national blocked process. The main disagreement was around the minimum entry level requirement in relation to the Knowledge, Training and Experience factor. As members are aware UNISON’s stance has always been   that ALL paramedics should be in band 6, however, we have no choice but to adhere to the Agenda for Change evaluation process for when the Trust and Trade Unions cannot agree a banding outcome.  UNISON is aware that some ambulance trusts are already paying ALL their paramedics band 6 and fails to understand what the difference is between those paramedics and those operating in Yorkshire. It is common knowledge that it is very likely that the HCPC will shortly change the minimum requirement for a registered paramedic to be a BSc, it is UNISONS opinion that this would automatically put all paramedics into band 6, UNISON will keep all members informed of how the blocked process is progressing and any national changes.

 

  • Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) on band 5 may have two options, either stay on band 5 and work on the band 5 side of the rota or decide to drop down to band 4 with the current pay protection arrangements.

 

  • All current band 3 ECAs and APs will have the opportunity to progress to, or stay on, band 4 but there has not been any final proposal from the Trust regarding the actual numbers, the training requirement or timescales regarding this change. UNISON will need those issues addressing before it could put the proposals to its members.

 

  • As stated in the Trust document it is proposed that the new paramedic plus training will be offered to paramedics working on cars and actual numbers will be decided by the amount of RRV’s which are required. UNISON would need to know what training is required for this new role, how it would be applied and how members would go through the gateway in band 6 prior to members deciding on the proposal.

 

UNISON believes the document the Trust issued has far too many unanswered questions regarding process, training and timescales we therefore urge the Trust to meet with us to resolve these issues before the agreed ACAS timescale which ends on Monday.

 

UNISON will be arranging area meetings in the near future to answer members questions, in the meantime we would ask you to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions so we can start to compile a ‘Questions and Answers’ document.

 

UNISON would like to reiterate that nothing has been agreed at this stage, the final negotiated proposal will go out to all affected members for a vote, and UNISON will also insist that ACAS are involved in any final agreement.

 

The branch committee will work tirelessly over the next few days to ensure we can answer all question raised by members.

 

Many thanks

UNISON Branch Committee

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