Unite ballots Yorkshire Ambulance Service members in row over shifts

A union is balloting its members at Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) in a row over changes to shift patterns.
REFUTING CLAIMS Yorkshire Ambulance Service chief executive David Whiting.REFUTING CLAIMS Yorkshire Ambulance Service chief executive David Whiting.
REFUTING CLAIMS Yorkshire Ambulance Service chief executive David Whiting.

Unite is asking its 450 members whether they want to take part in strike action in opposition to the introduction of new shifts next month.

It said the shifts were not family friendly and would leave staff too tired.

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Officials also complained the union had not been consulted – but YAS is under no obligation to do so after it withdrew voluntary recognition of the union last February.

It now only recognises Unison, the union which represents the largest number of staff at the trust and has statutory recognition.

Unite said the new shift pattern would be based on 12 hour shifts and could mean paramedics going more than 10 hours without a meal break.

It wants a protected meal break of 30 minutes after six hours.

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Regional officer Terry Cunliffe said: “Our members, who are doing their best for the Yorkshire public in very difficult circumstances, have been under sustained attack by the trust’s hardline management for more than a year.

“The latest erosion in their employment conditions is the demand to work elongated shifts which could mean them working more than ten hours on the trot before managers deign to give them a meal break. This could affect their ability to do their jobs – helping people in distress.

“I think the people of Yorkshire will find that this is completely unacceptable.”

But YAS has denied all the union’s claims.

Chief executive David Whiting said: “We refute the latest misleading and factually incorrect claims being made by Unite around staff rest breaks and shift patterns.

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“Changes to staff rotas and rest breaks have been agreed after a period of consultation with staff and Unison, following a detailed and comprehensive review of our service which took place throughout 2013. They are being introduced following agreement with staff and their representatives and form part of changes we are making to improve our responsiveness for patients and increase operational efficiency.”

YAS said the new rotas would improve the allocation of rest breaks, with a minimum of 30 minutes during a 10-hour shift and 45 minutes during a 12-hour shift.

It said it would also reduce shift over-runs and improve access to and allocation of staff training.

The ballot will close on January 24.

If it results in strike action, it will be the third time Unite members have walked out since April 2013.

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The union has been involved in a long-running dispute with YAS over patient safety and cuts of £46m over five years.

But YAS has always maintained that its plans will not put safety at risk and will increase the number of staff treating patients.