As you will have been aware, we have recently held ballots with our Paramedic members regarding the banding issue that has been plaguing the Paramedic role since agenda for change first came into existence.

It is accepted and clearer than ever that the role of Paramedic should be a band 6 role, but due to the lack of acknowledgement not only nationally but by our own Trust that this is the case, it was felt that action needed to be taken in order to push the cause.

The results of the ballots were exceptional, with a huge turnout, and an overwhelming vote for action. This was put to the Trust, who indicated to the recognised unions that they were willing to sit down and discuss the issue with the hope of finding a resolution. All the affected unions were present, and it was felt that at last, the Trust was going to step forward and recognise the knowledge, skills and commitment that Paramedics have and still do provide the service.

After a full week of meetings and discussions, the Trust decided that they were in a position to put a proposal to the unions. The truth of the Trust proposal is as follows

Merging bands 5 and 6 for Paramedics, this means Paramedics currently at the top of Band 5 would move across and up one, those below get nothing! Then in order to stop you getting to the top of the band naturally a gateway is to be put in place at pay point 26 (3 above top of band 5), in order to go through this gateway, the paramedic would need to have completed a mentoring course (approx. 3 months training), a degree (minimum 1 year, but probably at least 2 years plus if no previous higher education qualifications) and then go even higher than a degree and get a post graduate diploma (2 years minimum), and this is all to get past pay point 26! This is all to be completed in the Paramedics own time, with the exception of one day on the mentoring course, and 4 days per year on the degree and diploma, which the Trust would stand too. All this provided the Trust was able to get the courses going in a suitable timeframe, which if the PP situation is anything to go by is unlikely. And all the time these credentials aren’t met, the Paramedic is held at pay point 26.

It is unbelievable that in order to get what we believe Paramedics already deserve, the Trust expects Paramedics to become higher qualified academically than any other positions in band 6. Where is the consistency? There are plenty of other roles that are in much higher bands that also do not ask for such academic qualifications.

This proposal from the Trust, with caveat after caveat included, when day in day out, you already provide a Band 6 level of care to patients of Yorkshire at band 5 pay, is a deliberate attempt to continue to underpay Paramedics.

In other areas of the country, Paramedics are already receiving Band 6 pay, with others set to follow shortly. None of which demand such extreme levels of Higher education qualifications in order to progress into and through the banding, so why are Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s Paramedic so undervalued?

We urge all members not to be drawn in by the smoke and mirror tactics of the Trust in order to mislead Paramedics into accepting an offer that will deliberately go against agenda for change. They want to split the paramedics with some in band 5 and some in 6, and then put in a false pay cap that requires unrealistic levels of education in order to progress.

Remember, the work you currently do and the skills you currently have should place you firmly in band 6, without the need to be blocked from moving up a pay spine because you aren’t ¾ of the way to a Master’s degree! Let’s stick together and fight for what is right.

Ballot papers are on their way to your home address, reject this offer with a strong vote for action.