What's this all about then?

It's about the pay you get if you work "unsocial hours" - namely weekends and nights - the sorts of times many other people are either asleep or enjoying the company of friends or family. Historically, ambulance "road staff" were paid enhanced rates of pay for unsocial hours worked up until 1986, when staff accepted a new pay deal which included the removal of this. However, most other NHS staff (and many control staff) continued to get paid unsocial hours.

The agenda for change conditions recently brought back enhancements in the form of a percentage depending on the average number of unsocial hours worked during a set period. Now this is set to change.

So what's the proposal?

It's to change the way staff are paid for their unsocial hours. Instead of being paid a percentage based on an average of hours, the idea is that you will get paid for the actual time you work in any given month.

Isn't this just a way of them paying us less money?

Well, maybe. But not necessarily. When the agenda for change first came in, the nursing sector complained that they were not happy with the way they are paid. They felt they might be losing out. For UNISON members in the ambulance sector, however, it meant a big improvement over the unsocial pay arrangements we had (which were non-existent at the time). So the ambulance sector accepted the terms at the time under the proviso that we would reconsider our options when the nurses and others struck a solution they considered better.

The simplistic argument could be that if it's a better deal for the nurses, then it must surely be okay for us. However, it may not be, and our response might be that we fight to stick with what we've got. because we all work different shifts and the unsocial pay is a complicated matter, it is a  bit difficult to tell.

So how much would I get?

It depends. Put simply, it goes like this:

For those on band 3 (such as ACA's) - if you are unfortunate enough to end up working unsocial hours you would get an extra 37% of your pay for those unsocial hours worked. That will be doubled for Sundays and bank holidays.

Staff on band 4 or above (ie. Technicians upwards, and most control staff) will get 30% extra, doubled to 60% on  Sundays and bank holidays.

What hours count as unsocial?

Any week day after 8pm and before 6am. Then from midnight to midnight on Sundays and bank holidays classes as the "double enhancement" period.

I start my night shift at 7 o'clock. Does this mean I will get less?

No, not according to a clause which states that where a shift includes any hours outside of the 8pm-6am period, "... the enhancements should be applied to the whole shift if more than half the time falls between 8pm and 6am."

So does this mean that my pay could vary from month to month?

Yes, it does. It may be fairer, though, from some points of view. Relief staff who work more nights in a particular month, for example, will get pay that matches such an inequality. Those on rotas should still see a fairly predictable pattern of pay.

What if I take annual leave?

If you take a shift off that includes unsocial huors, you should still get the paid the enhanced rate.

When does all this start?

Its proposed to be introduced on 1st October 2007

What's UNISON's view on all of this?

our UNISON Ambulance sector are still undecided, which is why we are asking  members who have a flair for maths to look at their rotas and do some calculations. You need to let us know if you think you will be better off, worse off or about the same. You are being consulted on these proposals.

What if  I lose out?

Your UNISON branch will campaign to try and make sure you don't. But in the worst case scenario, pay protection is promised under the scheme in line with Agenda For Change (section 46.25) which states a date of March 2011 for when payment protection should end.

Where can I find out more?

You can visit the NHS employers website by clicking HERE . There you will find out more detail, including a table of the proposed rates and information on how part-time staff may be affected, etc.

But you can also read a copy of UNISON's latest briefing on the subject, right here on this website, by clicking HERE.

-R Fox