Confidence needed in Yorkshire Ambulance Service fight

Submitted by AWL on 19 June, 2013 - 10:20

Unite in Yorkshire Ambulance Service have called off a strike scheduled for 22 June. Members have been told that, following discussion with the Trust and ACAS, there are a "series of actions planned to resolve the dispute."

The dispute is about a new workforce plan which includes "downbanding" (i.e., moving down the pay scale) of a section of front line workers, and the derecognition of Unite following their opposition to this plan.

The suspension of the strike may be informed by the relatively weak support for a previous strike on 7 June. Despite a good press profile for the dispute, Unite, hampered by derecognition, has not built effectively amongst workers in between strike days.

This battle was always going to be a hard one to fight. The workforce plan and downbandings had been implemented before the action began, and the majority union (Unison) did not oppose the plan, leaving members feeling demoralized.

Challenging the Trust's attempts to extend the role of downbanded workers and rebuilding members confidence to fight on future issues across the unions will have to be the way forward.

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