AMBULANCE staff in North Yorkshire are taking strike action in a row over changes in shift patterns.
Unite, the country’s largest union, said Yorkshire Ambulance Service
staff have voted “overwhelmingly” for a 24 hour strike beginning at
midnight on Saturday, February 1.
This will be followed by further strike action for four hours between 3pm and 7pm on Monday, February 3.
Unite claim that shift changes could mean paramedics going more than
ten hours without a meal break and staff being forced to work 12 hour
shifts.
Unite members voted by a margin of 76 per cent for strike action.
Following the announcement of industrial action Unite regional officer
Terry Cunliffe called for talks with the trust’s chief executive David
Whiting on the new shift patterns and their impact on patient safety.
Unite said that the proposals would impact on patient safety. The
union wants a protected meal break of 30 minutes after six hours.
Mr Cunliffe said: “Our members are taking action as they are very
concerned about the scale of these changes and how they will impact on
patient safety in Yorkshire. The shift patterns are not family friendly
and will lead to an overtired workforce.”
Unite ambulance members previously took strike action on April 2 and June 7 last year over concerns regarding patient safety.
YAS management have refuted Unite claims that the changes would put
patients at risk and insisted the changes to shift patterns had been
agreed with staff and members of the Unison union.
Ian Brandwood, Executive Director of People and Engagement at
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “We are disappointed with
the Unite the Union ballot result. Read more..
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