The GMB EMAS Executive team has been actively collaborating with EMAS to address issues identified in a leadership survey from December 2023. Major improvements include the refinement of the Attendance Policy and the development of a new process for handling work-related injuries, aiming to streamline reporting and enhance transparency. Additional efforts focus on leadership training, compassionate leadership, flexible working requests, and improving staff welfare and safety, with ongoing improvements in relief working and the implementation of the People Strategy.

The GMB continues to have a single membership fee for all full-time employed members, regardless of earnings. GMB’s membership fees have remained the same for the last 3 years to help support our members through the cost of living crisis. Last year GMB@EMAS went one step further to support our members on Bands 1, 2, 3 and the lower tier of Band 4 and launched a scheme for our members to reclaim the difference in fees compared to other trade unions fees within EMAS.

The GMB union has criticised the implementation of Section 2 of the Agenda for Change, which affects unsocial hours enhancements for ambulance service workers since 2018. Despite some concessions allowing workers to revert to previous terms, the union remains dissatisfied with the overall progress and insists on advocating for the reversal of these policies. Concerns include the negative impact on workforce morale, career advancement, and discriminatory practices. The GMB continues to campaign against forced transfers and seeks further action to address these issues.