NATIONAL PAY DISPUTE
Strike Action
Unite National ambulance committee – Guidance for members
Unite the union recognises this is a national dispute and is one between
members and the Government over pay and not one with individual Trusts.
Unite supports and expects members to take action and we appreciate that
individual Trusts recognise these rights.
Unite supports its members in taking action. This applies whether they choose
to take full strike action or choose to follow the guidance below as it is
recognised that this is an individual choice.
Unite is producing this guidance to ensure that all Unite members are clear in
what action they are taking in relation to their ambulance sector in a national
dispute. Unite’s ethos when national action takes place will be to provide
emergency cover for life-threatening emergencies, when strike action is called
for.
In the NHS as a whole – this has been classed as Christmas day cover but
obviously, in the ambulance sector this does not apply.
Unite’s underlying aim during any dispute will be to:1. Develop plans that protect patients, whilst still allowing our members to
demonstrate against the Government’s cuts to our pay.
2. Ensure member safety is maintained throughout.
3. Work in partnership with other trade unions to ensure the action is
successful, keeping local trusts up-to-date with actions to be taken.
In the event of a major incident being declared, Unite will recommend
members on picket lines to return to full duties immediately.
Strike Action – Thurs 29th January 2015
1. Staff at work and not in dispute will fulfil all duties as normal. This would
include staff that are not part of a trade union or are members of an
organisation unaffected by the dispute.
2. Members will be asked to provide a reasonable level of emergency cover –
working from a picket line. This would include not utilising standby points and
only responding from a picket line. Members will be responding to RED calls
only (Red 1 and Red 2 categories in England and Category A calls in
Northern Ireland). Trusts should be informed locally that if Green or lower
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grade calls are upgraded, without good reason, Unite will reconsider offering
this exemption in future action.
If members work from picket lines – they will also be available to report to full
duties – if a major incident were called in any individual Trust.
3. We would expect individual trusts to pay staff that are providing emergency
cover but this will need to be confirmed at a local level.
4. We would ask individual trusts that reasonable access to facilities (station
sites etc) will be given to union members involved in industrial action for the
purposes of welfare and comfort only.
5. In England and Northern Ireland only, the period of dispute will be for 12
hours, from 12:00 midday until 23:59 on Thursday 29th January 2015.
6. Staff taking strike action who are on duty prior to 12:00 will need to adhere
to the following procedure:
 Members may be approached to ask if they intend to take part in strike
action. It is your choice whether you divulge this information.
 Any active incident in progress at this time will be completed as normal.
On completion of any active incidents or at 12:00 the crew/individual
will inform control / line manager that they are now taking part in the
industrial action. They will then either withdraw their labour or only be
available for emergency cover. Normal end of shift procedures apply
and members will return to base or to a picket line.
7. Staff taking strike action from 12:00 or who normally commence duty
between 12:00 and 23:59 will need to adhere to the following procedure:
 Present for work at 12:00 but inform Control that you are taking part in
strike action and will be providing emergency cover only from a picket
line at your base station
 Unite would encourage members to report to picket lines at 12:00
regardless of whether it is their intention to provide emergency cover or
not
 Other NHS staff will be on strike from 09:00-21:00, so we would also
encourage members to support picket lines elsewhere
 Resume duties and work as normal from 23:59.
We recognise the need for critical PTS patients to be transported for essential
treatment, including palliative care, renal and oncology patients. There will be
co-operation with Trusts locally to ensure that this service is provided.
Unite ask that members work locally with trusts to achieve an adequate and
safe level of A&E, EOC, 111 and PTS emergency cover.
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EOC, 111 and other call-centre staff will be asked to answer and dispatch on
emergency calls only. EOC staff are asked not to dispatch crews to jobs until
they have coded as a RED detail and not dispatch on a pre-alert.
For all other staff – Unite would suggest that they follow the guidance given
nationally of providing Christmas Day cover.
Action short of strike
Overtime Ban - Unite ambulance sector will be running an overtime ban from
00:01 on Thurs 29th January to 23:59 on Sun 1st February.
Working to contractual hours – Unite would encourage members to complete
all beginning and end of shift procedures within work time for the duration of
the action period – from Thurs 29th January to Tues 24th Feb.
This would include only responding to RED calls during the first 20 minutes of
shifts – whilst completing vehicle checks.
Your continued support is very much appreciated.
Unite National Ambulance OPC.
14.1.15
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