Colleagues:
Due to the lack of progress in resolving the current pay dispute, Action Short of Strike Action will continue for the month of August 2023. Further updates will be issued detailing escalation plans which include strike action within a 48-hour period over the 21st and 22nd of September 2023.
Further information is included in the attached Unison communique which outlines the current political context and a table clearly showing the difference in pay between England/Wales and Northern Ireland.
We will not be left behind and we must restore Pay Parity without further delay.
ASOS Update – August 2023
Unison members began a further period of industrial action short of strike action (ASOS) starting at 00:01 on 1st July 2023 and running until 23:59 on Monday 31st July 2023, with a further continuance of ASOS running from 00:01 on 1st August 2023 and running until 23:59 on Thursday 31st August 2023.
Action short of strike (ASOS): 1st – 31st August 2023
- Refusing to have breaks interrupted.
Derogations – A&E operational members will request to have their meal breaks at their base station, within the agreed meal break windows. These breaks should only be disturbed for Category 1 immediately life-threatening calls. All members who are on unpaid meal breaks should have their meal breaks at their base station/location, within the meal break period. These breaks should not be disturbed.
- Working strictly to health & safety protocols.
Derogations – None
- Withdrawal from all union/management/Department of Health engagement except regional meetings on dispute resolution.
Derogations – None
- Strict adherence to start times.
Derogations – None.
Members should not start or book on early to answer calls, complete vehicle checks / VDIs etc. These should be commenced at the shift start time. Station-based relief members should start and finish at their base station. At the commencement of their shift, before onward travel to stations which are not their base station, but where they have been assigned duties, except when doing so would incur additional travel or expense. Relief staff will not use their own private vehicles to travel to any locations other than their base station.
Local Unison Shop Stewards and H&S Reps should be contacted if further information is required. NIAS has been given due notice of this action short of strike, as per legislative requirements. RMC / line managers will contact Relief Staff to ascertain if they will take industrial action.
End of communique
