Rota Consultation Update – UNISON Secures Extension and Key Improvements

Deadline for unresolved rotas extended to 1st July following staff feedback.

We are pleased to share a positive update. Following sustained engagement and strong representation by UNISON during the rota consultation process, an extension to the rota submission deadline has now been agreed after detailed discussions with the Trust

The Trust has agreed that in areas where agreement cannot currently be reached, and where rotas have not yet been uploaded to GRS, the submission deadline has been further extended to support a July go live date (sooner if teams wish).

This follows feedback raised by UNISON representatives and members and ensures additional time for meaningful consultation within Divisions. It also provides colleagues with greater certainty when planning childcare, family commitments and personal lives.

Alongside gathering feedback from members and UNISON representatives, we have reviewed proposed rotas with Divisional Leadership teams across all areas to better understand the challenges within each rota and identify where concerns remain. Through these discussions, UNISON has worked with both members, Divisions and the senior management team to highlight issues, explore solutions and support efforts to reach fair and equitable rota arrangements wherever possible.

In areas where agreement has been reached, rotas have continued to progress. Where majority agreement has not yet been possible, the extension to the submission deadline provides further time for discussions to continue and for outstanding concerns to be addressed.

Through ongoing engagement with EMAS, and following feedback from members and UNISON representatives, we have secured important improvements, including:

• A commitment to endeavour to allocate relief shifts on staff members’ own stations wherever possible

• Greater stability for relief staff, with clearer and more predictable rota patterns being introduced across most areas

• A commitment to honour existing flexible working agreements, that align with the principles. Where changes may be required, staff will receive individual one-to-one discussions, with any adjustments made through mutual agreement

• Improvements to Principles 1, 3 and 5 within the rota principle framework following staff-side engagement

UNISON has also raised the issue of FRV staffing, and we have asked the Trust to move forward with the Associate SP role to support staff working within these areas.

These developments demonstrate that when staff concerns are raised collectively through their representatives, meaningful progress can be achieved through constructive dialogue and negotiations.

We will shortly be meeting again with the Trust and the Clinical Directorate to agree the next steps.

UNISON representatives will continue working with members and managers locally to resolve outstanding rota issues wherever possible.

UNISON remains committed to delivering real outcomes through strong negotiation and representation. As always, we will continue to be guided by the views of our members and the mandate we were given.

We will monitor progress closely and continue pressing the Trust to deliver meaningful results, ensuring staff voices are heard and that the improvements already secured are built upon.

Our focus remains on achieving the best possible outcome for staff through dialogue, transparency and partnership working.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to engage with the consultation and share feedback with your representatives. Your voices have directly contributed to the improvements secured so far.

Further updates will follow as discussions continue.

In Solidarity

UNISON EMAS