UNISON EMAS negotiates improvements to the EMAS rota review
Dear Colleagues,
UNISON is updating members on the latest position following continued negotiations with senior management at East Midlands Ambulance Service on the rota review and the proposed reduction in FRV numbers.
UNISON EMAS has taken this last week to proactively continue negotiating improvements to the proposals, securing a package of practical protections that could form the basis of an agreement, but members must now have their say.
UNISON is now writing to EMAS requesting that the rota implementation is paused while we consult with our members and further talks take place with the Senior Management Team to finalise the detail around the following proposals.
Improvements UNISON EMAS has negotiated
Rota review – agreed way forward.
1. Preference-led rotas with a resolution route
Where a station/group believes a rota does not reflect collective preference—or teams can’t reach agreement—an agreed escalation pathway will be used.
2. Senior leadership oversight where concerns persist
The Senior Leadership Team will work directly with stations/groups where concerns remain, to reach a workable solution.
3. Home-station priority for relief shifts
Where relief is built into rotas, divisions will endeavour to allocate relief shifts at staff members’ home stations.
4. Unsocial hours (UCA) and pay protection
UCA rotas will, where possible, be designed to broadly reflect current levels of unsocial hours enhancements to protect pay. Implementation will be managed locally by divisions.
5. Pool relief review and clearer rota design
Divisions will review pool relief working arrangements (with one division currently considering the approach and due to confirm shortly), including:
o consideration of a guaranteed rest-day rota; and
o clearer identification in rotas of day, twilight, and night shifts.
Where a repeated rota pattern is created, this may provide an opportunity to include RAL.
FRVs – agreed principles for mitigation, development, and review
In response to the proposed reduction in FRV numbers (28 to 14), UNISON has secured mitigation and development measures, including:
1. A credentialing opportunity for current and displaced FRV staff to be assessed for a development pathway toward an Associate Specialist Paramedic (SP) role.
2. Creation of an Associate Specialist Paramedic role supported by additional dedicated vehicles (number of vehicles subject to further agreement).
3. Ring-fenced access (initially) this pathway will be ring-fenced in the first instance to FRV staff and those displaced by the reduction.
4. A transparent Expressions of Interest (EOI) process with a clear process for access and progression.
5. Individual Education Plan (IEP) interviews to identify the education, training and clinical exposure needed for progression.
6. Structured development support agreed with Clinical and Education teams following assessment.
7. Joint review of implementation and impact. EMAS and UNISON will jointly review delivery, impact, and agree further mitigations where required.
8. Funding and governance discussions continue both parties have committed to further discussions on the funding model, timescales, and governance needed to ensure delivery.
Protections already secured (still in place)
· Before implementation, staff on flexible working arrangements will have a 1:1 meeting to confirm individual agreements—matching current agreements, or where change is required, as close as possible to current arrangements.
· Six- and twelve-month reviews for rotas that are not working as intended, with adjustments where possible.
· Anonymous voting on rotas to support fairness and transparency.
UNISON is member-led: we now need your view
We have negotiated improvements and protections but members must decide whether this is an acceptable way forward. A short consultative survey will be issued shortly for members to share their views and help determine next steps.
Consultation will run for one week from the date the survey is issued. At the end of the survey we will collate responses and share the outcome with members.
Yours in unity
Stuart Hallowes
Branch Secretary
UNISON EMAS BRANCH
Posted: 4