National Living Wage Uplift

Due to another delayed pay round for NHS workers, Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 2 workers were due to fall below the National Living Wage when it increases in April.

As in previous years, a temporary uplift will be given to all Band 2 workers to lift them above the legal minimum rates of pay. This year, in order to address compression issues between Bands 2 and 3, the entry point of Band 3 will also receive a temporary uplift in pay.

Please note that this uplift is temporary – for members that receive the uplift, the pay award will not be added on top of it.

More information can be found at: https://www.gmb.org.uk/public-services/nhs-and-ambulance/ambulance

Driving Incidents

We would ask all our members to be aware, there are a large number of avoidable accidents in trust vehicles including a significant number are reversing incidents. We would encourage our members to use a banks person (where possible) when reversing.

Please remember that most of these accidents are captured on the vehicles CCTV system and reviewed at local driving sieves. If in the event of an accident when reversing there is not significant mitigation for not having a banks person, then both driver and attendant could face points on their EMAS driving licenses.

Occupational Health

Following an occupational health referral, a report will be produced that will begin with the words “verbal consent to proceed with this consultation and generation of a functional outcome report has been confirmed”.

When staff give consent to the disclosure of information about them, OH professionals must ensure the employee understands what will be discussed, the reasons for disclosure and the likely consequences.

We have found on a number of occasions that there have been factual errors in reports, or the member disagrees with the advice provided in the report. It is important to establish at the end of the meeting that you are clear what advice will be given and that you are in agreement.

Should you wish to, you can ask for a copy of the report to be sent to you prior to being sent to your line manager.

Please report any concerns you have from generated reports or general OH concerns/ queries to your local union representative.

Retrospective Representation

We are unable to provide representation for members who join the GMB after the incident has taken place for which they require our help. Like an insurance policy, GMB are there for you from the start, but you are not covered for something that has already happened. Please advise your colleagues that are not GMB members of this. To join, please follow this link: https://gmbemas.org/dashboard/

Right of Representation or to be Accompanied

You have the right to be represented or accompanied at any formal meeting held with an EMAS manager or HR. Such as:

• Disciplinary meetings.
• Investigation meetings.
• Dignity and Respect meetings.
• Capability meetings.
• Probationary reviews.

You are also entitled to bring a GMB rep to any informal meeting. Such as:

• Fact find meetings.
• Sickness meetings (excluding welcome back to work meetings).
• Informal clinical case discussions.
• Flexible working meetings.
• And many more

If you are not offered to be accompanied by a GMB Representative, you have the right to request a GMB Representative be present, and meetings can be postponed until it has been arranged.

Please contact us to seek Representation as soon as you are invited to any meeting.

If in doubt, please contact either your local GMB Representative or email enquiries@gmbemas.org

Information about your GMB Union can be found at:

• gmbemas.org
• Follow the link to the Dashboard for contact information and news etc.
• Facebook GMBEMAS
• Please like and follow.
• Or by email at: enquiries@gmbemas.org

Moved house, new phone number, changed job roles?

Advise us of your new details by emailing: enquiries@gmbemas.org

If you have any other queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Kind Regards on behalf of GMB@EMAS