Members of the South Western Ambulance UNISON branch met in Taunton on Wednesday 23rd May.

The meeting lasted from 10.00 am until 5.00 pm, with many topics under discussion, including: The new ECSW role, the ongoing Technician pay review, unsocial hours payments, meal breaks, availability of stab vests, lifting and handling on older ambulance vehicles, specification of future vehicles, issues raised at National conference, time allowed to staff for KSF work and training, control staff working practises and issues concerning the grievance policy and maternity policy.

In addition to these matters, reports were received from each of the braches sectors, including feedback from the recent Dorset Sector meeting. The branch health and safety representatives will be examining one of the main issues discussed at this meeting - that of lifting and handling on older vehicles. Branch Secretary Ian Hopkins gave an indication of how busy he has been, having been involved in many matters at both national and local level, and in working to represent members by supporting the call for an increased level of training for ECSW's.

Minutes of this meeting will be posted on The Archive pages of this site as soon as they become available.

The next branch meeting is scheduled to take place on 5th September.

For more information, contact branch chairman Ian Knight by emailing: Ianknight160@btinternet.com

For details of other meetings, see the what's on section of this site.