PTS Meal Breaks and Subsistence Update.

 

The trust, without following the correct process and ignoring the concerns raised by staff, are still planning to implement their proposed changes to the meal breaks and subsistence payments. They are stating that they have to do to save money and make PTS viable. Whilst we recognise that the trust do need to save money we do not accept that they should do it in this manner, railroading changes through rather than negotiating with us.

 

The trust have committed to keeping Agenda for Change terms and conditions, within the handbook one of the first sections talks about partnership working, where was the partnership in this?

 

Thanks to the government it is very difficult times and there is no doubt that PTS services are vulnerable but at the same time is that an excuse for management to behave in this way?

 

We will be issuing a straw poll ballot next week to see what members think about taking some sort of action. In the meantime, because we believe it is a contractual issue and the correct process hasn't been adhered to, we are advising everyone to keep claiming the payment as they have previously. At the end of the month anyone who doesn't get them signed off for payment should submit a grievance. We will issue further advice around this before the month end.

 

We would also ask members to submit grievances if they get their break at unsuitable times, if they do not get a break or if they are ‘stood down’ anywhere that does not have the facility to make a warm drink or to warm their own food.