Unsocial Hours Update
UNISON has won an agreement that ambulance workers can stay on the current Unsocial Hour Payment agreement and not be moved over to the new proposed system.
The current 25% maximum unsocial hour payment system was part and parcel within the introduction of Agenda for Change in 2004. It was, however, a temporary system until a new one could be agreed between the Unions and the Department of Health at a national level.
When a proposed new system was sent out to consultation it soon became obvious that the majority of ambulance staff in all services throughout the UK would lose out by up to 6%.
The evidence that was sent to the National Staff Council by the LAS in partnership with the staff side also showed major loses for the majority of our staff. After months of negotiations it has now been agreed that all ambulance staff in all ambulance trusts (England and Northern Ireland) will be withdrawn from the proposed new system and be allowed to stay as we are. Those staff within ambulance trusts that were not on the current system will be moved over on to it by 2011.
Because the agreement to ‘de-couple’ ambulance trusts is part of the new proposals (paragraph 5) that will be sent out to ballot, it is important that ambulance staff vote YES on the ballot paper. This will ensure the new proposals are accepted which will contain the agreement to ‘de-couple’ ambulance trusts in England and Northern Ireland from the proposals and keep us on the current unsocial hour system.
This may seem confusing, but the simple thing to do is vote YES.
The ballot details are:
Sent out – 25^th January 2008
Return date – by 10.00 on 15^th February 2008.

Eric Roberts
Branch Secretary
LAS UNISON
Unsocial Hours Presentation
NHS Staff Council USH Proposals

FRONTLINE STAFF WITH INSULIN TREATED DIABETES
AN LAS UNISON BRANCH SUCCESS STORY.

NHS Pension Scheme

NHS Pension Scheme Review
Final agreement on changes to the NHS Pension Scheme
The changes to the NHS Pension Scheme have now been agreed for England and Wales. The agreement concludes four years of partnership working between NHS Employers and the NHS trade unions.
Agreement between NHS Employers and the NHS trade unions
You can read more on the history of the campaign on our pensions page.

• The written paper will no longer be a pass or fail on the module
• The written paper will be released to paramedics so that they may use it for some pre learning before attending the course.
• The practical assessment remains a pass/fail

Tax Relief for UNISON Subscriptions

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