Local Reps Information
Newly Qualified Paramedic Preceptorship
At the Trust's Joint Negotiating Consultative Committee, staffside have been assured that newly qualified Paramedics would work their first 6 weeks along side an experienced Paramedic. The last cohort of University Paramedics to arrive in Somerset had to negotiate the length of their preceptorship and the type of skill mix they thought would be appropriate with their CSO/OLM. This is contrary to the principle of helping a newly qualified Lead Clinician overcome the steep 'learning curve' over a very short period of time. Staffside are seeking further reassurance, from management, that the preceptorship period will be honoured in all areas and in the manor previously described at committee meetings. If you have been affected by any shortcomings in the preceptorship programme or have any ideas on how to improve upon it, please email Dave Phillips at thephils@talk21.com
Relief Unsocial Hours Payments
There are a few cases in Somerset whereby individuals have progressed from substantive Relief staff to rota positions and haven't been paid the Rota 25% unsocial hours. This has been largely due to 'change' forms not being completed quickly enough. This has highlighted the situation whereby these 'Reliefs' (in rota, whilst waiting for 'change' forms to be effected) haven't been given the retrospective monthly uplift from 21% to 25%. Unison is concerned that this example could be perpetuated in other areas of the Trust where Relief's are not receiving their correct unsocial hours payment. We, therefore, are asking all our relief members to check payslips to identify if uplift has been paid where it has been earned. We would also recommend that all Reliefs submit monthly timesheets, regardless of whether overtime has been worked or not. If any anomalies are found please contact your local Representative.
Industrial Action Short of Strike Action
The Branch Executive has set up an Industrial Action sub-group to better organise and co-ordinate any future action. Sector Secretaries are looking to hear from members with interesting ideas on how best to get our point across without putting lives in danger. Don't be shy, have your say!
SOMERSET SECTOR NEWS
Somerset continues to ‘punch above its weight' in its contribution to issues that the Branch tackles management on. Your information and feedback have been invaluable when gaining an overall impression on what members feel throughout SWAST. Please keep it up! And if you're inclined to get a little more involved, senior Reps will give you all the help and support to get you started. - please contact any station Rep or call Dave Phillips on 07929988821
2011 started off with union meetings held in OLM Sectors at Yeovil, Taunton & Barnstaple prior to the AGM on 16/3/11. Outstanding issues were forwarded to Local Consultative Committee (LCC) for resolution.
26th March saw the very successful ‘March Against the Cuts' in London. Unfortunately it was difficult to gauge how many participants there were from our sector as individuals or groups travelled to the capital in various ways with different branches and Unions. Those who did attend said what a great day it was!
April & May saw mostly case work such as sickness reviews and disciplinary hearings across the sector.
In Somerset, considerable time and effort has been spent representing members at risk of redundancy due to reorganisation. The Trust's strategic review that has replaced Front-Line vehicles with Pathway Support Vehicles put a group of 4 staff at Yeovil ‘at risk'. Three retained responders are currently ‘at risk', in the Wells area, due to those type of groups being cut by the Trust (subject to consultation). Urgent Care Service Drivers have also had a reduction in their hours due to a realignment exercise.
Three out of the four Yeovil staff have been successfully redeployed, one as a result of a forceful campaign including evidence gained from Branch Exec members across the Trust. The fourth person, Jim Clarke - Unison Rep, has taken voluntary redundancy and early retirement. We thank him for all his hard work representing members over many years and particularly the last two difficult months. Happy retirement Jim!
Re-deployment options are being sought for the retained responders but at least two of the three are currently on formal notice of redundancy.
UCS drivers hours will be maintained when shift patterns change because of vacant hours (shifts) being available for them to work on relief.
The LCC took place on 12/5/11 with issues such as concerns with this year's Recert. Day 1 ‘confirmation paper' and Communication between staff and managers (N.Devon) taking centre stage. Reps had previously requested the Branch Sec to seek concessions for ECA/Student Paras sitting the exam paper, which he successfully achieved.
Management's LCC action points have not yet been reported on.
Professional issues such as clarification on age-range for the new hand-held suction units for paediatric use, are being pursued at present.
Please communicate any local issues you may have to your Rep and they may table them at the next LCC. Other, wider Trust issues are dealt with at ‘JNCC' - Somerset's current Rep on this committee is Dave Phillips. We also have a Rep on the Trust wide ‘Vehicle & Equipment Working Group'.
