Industrial Action
24th November 2014
UNISON has informed the Trust that due to the overwhelming YES vote in the recent national ballot, UNISON Yorkshire Ambulance Branch members, will be withdrawing their labour and taking strike action on this day between the hours of 0700 and 1100.
In line with accompanying information supplied with the ballot papers and the national steer from UNISON, Yorkshire Ambulance Branch has informed the Trust that we will be providing ‘life and limb’ cover on this day. This will take the form of EOC staff answering and dispatching calls, and frontline vehicles responding to coded and confirmed Red 1 and Red 2 calls.
Members are asked to only respond to the agreed calls from the official picket line NOT station; EOC will dispatch the jobs directly to the picket line.
All other staff not involved in ‘life or limb’ cover will be considered to be on strike between the hours of 0700-1100 on this day, these include HART Team, Clinical Supervisors (not on level 1 response), ECP’s, PTS, 111, Clinical Hub/ECP Desk, MTC Desk, Training School, Fleet, managers, HR, admin & clerical and all support staff.
The branch committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all its members for the fantastic pledges of support this action has generated, staff from all areas of the service, from the workshops, PTS, domestics, front line, EOC and office based staff to name a few, are all looking to support this national stand to protect their pay, by standing on the picket lines on this day, placards and banners at the ready (please get in touch ASAP if you require any for the day)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is expected to be on strike?
All UNISON members will be expected to be on Strike on 24th November, regardless of position within the Trust. The only members who will be expected to provide any service are those involved in covering coded red 1 and red 2 calls.
2. Why are we striking?
For the first time in the history of the independent pay review body, the government has chosen to ignore its recommendation of 1% for all staff. This has placed a growing pressure on industrial relations within the NHS and the perception among the workforce that the independence of the PRB has been compromised. No other independent pay review body was ignored; including the one that gave the MP’s a pay rise of 11%. NHS staff have been singled out
UNISON has been campaigning since the government’s decision was made. Member have participated in a day of protest, lobbied MPs, filled in surveys and taken part in other campaigning activities.
At our annual health conference in April, delegates took the decision to ballot out NHS members for industrial action. Now members have voted for strike action and action short of a strike.
3. What is classed as ‘life and limb cover’?
‘Life and limb’ cover will require front line A&E staff who are rota’d to work on the day between the hours of 0700 – 1100, responding to emergency calls coded as Red 1 or Red 2. Please remember any vehicle staffed by UNISON members will be responding from the picket line.
4. If I am on day off or leave can I still come and show my support at picket lines?
Yes we want as much support as possible on the day, please wear uniform where possible.
5. If I respond to calls on the day from the picket line will I be legally covered to drive the vehicles and clinically covered by the Trust?
Yes, if the Trust asks you to respond to an incident, via MDT, airwaves etc. you will be automatically covered.
6. If I am rota’d to work the 13th between 0700 and 1100 to provide ‘life and limb’ cover will I be getting paid?
The issue regarding pay has been agreed with the Trust, members will receive pay on that day, whilst responding to ‘life and limb’ cover.
8. Will losing 4 hours pay effect my National Insurance contributions?
Losing 4 hours pay should have no effect on your contributions; the amount paid is not worked out on a daily basis but on a monthly basis.
9. What do I do if I am sent a call to MDT that I believe is not RI or R2?
UNISON’s advice is that all crews should, in the first instance question the category of call and then inform the EOC that this is outside the agreed response for the Strike. If in the unlikely event you are still instructed to attend, respond under duress and contact your area secretary or convenor with full details and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ASAP.
10. Are managers expected to take part in industrial action?
Yes, all managers at every level that are UNISON members are expected to take part in the strike action.
11. What if my shift overlaps the start and finish of the action times?
Members should work within normal parameters outside the industrial action hours which are 0700-1100hrs.
12. Stocking of vehicles?
Vehicles should be fully stocked at the beginning of the shift as per usual.
13. Where should the picket lines be set up?
Picket lines should be set up at the closest/safest area to the station/workplace entrance.
14. What is happening to PTS operational staff, control and PRC desks?
All members in these departments are expected to support the action. If staff are based within hospitals they may join a picket line at the nearest UNISON picket line.
15. What is expected of UNISON member’s not providing life and limb cover?
All UNISON members are expected to join the picket line.
16. Are EOC staff taking action?
Yes, all EOC members are expected to support the day of action apart from rota’d dispatchers and call takers who are there to provide ‘life and limb’ cover, we expect the clinical hub/ECP desk, MTC desk etc. to support the action.
17. Should I have a meal break or rest break during the industrial action?
No, meal breaks or rest break should not be taken during the 4 hours strike!
UNISON Yorkshire Ambulance Branch is fully aware there will be more unanswered questions. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact your local convenor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is expected to be on strike?
All UNISON members will be expected to be on Strike on 24th November, regardless of position within the Trust. The only members who will be expected to provide any service are those involved in covering coded red 1 and red 2 calls.
2. Why are we striking?
For the first time in the history of the independent pay review body, the government has chosen to ignore its recommendation of 1% for all staff. This has placed a growing pressure on industrial relations within the NHS and the perception among the workforce that the independence of the PRB has been compromised. No other independent pay review body was ignored; including the one that gave the MP’s a pay rise of 11%. NHS staff have been singled out
UNISON has been campaigning since the government’s decision was made. Member have participated in a day of protest, lobbied MPs, filled in surveys and taken part in other campaigning activities.
At our annual health conference in April, delegates took the decision to ballot out NHS members for industrial action. Now members have voted for strike action and action short of a strike.
3. What is classed as ‘life and limb cover’?
‘Life and limb’ cover will require front line A&E staff who are rota’d to work on the day between the hours of 0700 – 1100, responding to emergency calls coded as Red 1 or Red 2. Please remember any vehicle staffed by UNISON members will be responding from the picket line.
4. If I am on day off or leave can I still come and show my support at picket lines?
Yes we want as much support as possible on the day, please wear uniform where possible.
5. If I respond to calls on the day from the picket line will I be legally covered to drive the vehicles and clinically covered by the Trust?
Yes, if the Trust asks you to respond to an incident, via MDT, airwaves etc. you will be automatically covered.
6. If I am rota’d to work the 13th between 0700 and 1100 to provide ‘life and limb’ cover will I be getting paid?
The issue regarding pay has been agreed with the Trust, members will receive pay on that day, whilst responding to ‘life and limb’ cover.
8. Will losing 4 hours pay effect my National Insurance contributions?
Losing 4 hours pay should have no effect on your contributions; the amount paid is not worked out on a daily basis but on a monthly basis.
9. What do I do if I am sent a call to MDT that I believe is not RI or R2?
UNISON’s advice is that all crews should, in the first instance question the category of call and then inform the EOC that this is outside the agreed response for the Strike. If in the unlikely event you are still instructed to attend, respond under duress and contact your area secretary or convenor with full details and email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ASAP.
10. Are managers expected to take part in industrial action?
Yes, all managers at every level that are UNISON members are expected to take part in the strike action.
11. What if my shift overlaps the start and finish of the action times?
Members should work within normal parameters outside the industrial action hours which are 0700-1100hrs.
12. Stocking of vehicles?
Vehicles should be fully stocked at the beginning of the shift as per usual.
13. Where should the picket lines be set up?
Picket lines should be set up at the closest/safest area to the station/workplace entrance.
14. What is happening to PTS operational staff, control and PRC desks?
All members in these departments are expected to support the action. If staff are based within hospitals they may join a picket line at the nearest UNISON picket line.
15. What is expected of UNISON member’s not providing life and limb cover?
All UNISON members are expected to join the picket line.
16. Are EOC staff taking action?
Yes, all EOC members are expected to support the day of action apart from rota’d dispatchers and call takers who are there to provide ‘life and limb’ cover, we expect the clinical hub/ECP desk, MTC desk etc. to support the action.
17. Should I have a meal break or rest break during the industrial action?
No, meal breaks or rest break should not be taken during the 4 hours strike!
