London Ambulance Service Unison Branch

Branch Committee Meeting

12^th August 2003 10.30hrs -- Conference Room LAS HQ

In the absence of Eddie Brand Goerge Achilles chaired the meeting. GA welcomes Terry Gibson as a member of the committee.

Minutes from 8^th July 2003 agreed as a true record.

Steve Harbord confirmed that his letter to Julie Grant had been sent with the necessary adjustments and as yet there has been no reply. This issue regards the decrease in investments made on behalf of the Unison Welfare Board.

ER requests that the staff council elections are deferred to a later date as a number of staff who currently hold positions are not able to attend today. All agreed.

ER distributes the latest figures for legal forms and compensation.

ER confirms that Unison Welfare has received our donation of £300, The Ambulance Service Workers Hardship Fund has received our donation of £300 and that Justice for Colombia has received the donation of £50.

ER circulates a copy of a letter that he sent to Rosie Winterton MP regarding her visit to headquarters.

ER confirmed that legal advice has been received regarding stab vests from the Unison solicitors, Thompsons, a copy of which was circulated. Following a letter sent to Peter Bradley on this matter, a reply has been received from Mike Boyne confirming that disciplinary action would not be taken against staff who make an "honest mistake" in their risk assessment. However, Unison might be forced into a position to advise that staff may wish to wear their stab vest at all times whilst on duty. Unison was the only union to seek advice on this matter. More meetings were to be arranged with management over this issue.

ER confirmed that a letter was sent to John Stubbs regarding the inappropriate selling of "Thames Ambulance Service" model ambulances on the LAS stand at this year’s Ambex.

ER met with Health Professions Council (HPC) last week to discuss the matter of paramedic fees. The fees have been fixed for five years and the recent increase should be covered by the increase of the extended skills allowance paid to paramedics. Members may also claim tax relief, forms can be downloaded from the website.

Information distributed regarding Unison at the TUC.

The committee agreed to sponsor the Cuba Challenge.

IL discussed that matter of cleaning under the trolley bed plinth. This matter is still being resolved.

MA confirmed that a floral tribute had been sent to the family of John Brandreth.

MA due to attend a Unison retired members meeting and will report at next meeting.

MA confirmed a number of new retired members.

BA gave a verbal report to the committee.

RS confirmed that Kathy Lines was the first winner of the web site draw (£50). There are currently 35 subscribers to the e-mail newsletter.

Number of web site hits is over 1700 since its launch on 1^st July 2003.

Further work is required to update the web site and add new content.

The newsletter will be published in hard copy.

RS asked the committee to advertise the web site to members, as some are still unaware.

RS has received the results of the Computer Training questionnaire (25% response rate) and hopes to organise a computer course for stewards in the near future.

New members were accepted into the branch.

- The Branch Secretary informed the committee on the ongoing talks regarding Union Learner Reps within the service.

IL confirmed that problems involving the Darent Valley contract have now been resolved.

FP said that hopefully all current problems have been resolved.

The equal opportunity rep from CAC has asked why she had not been invited to any equal opp meetings. GA confirmed that there had not been any meetings for some time and that equal opps has now been taken over by the new Diversity team.

ER explained that there is a need to elect members from Branch Committee to sit on the staff council to represent LAS Unison. Decision deferred to next meeting.

BA raised the problem of a member of staff on long term sick who received letters regarding his absence whilst sick. This specific case has already been resolved, however ER will raise the matter at sector level.

DS has received a response from John O’Grady regarding travel time and mileage claims by staff attending National Guidelines course and the Personal Safety course. DS will take this to staff council and will report back.

TG reminded everyone about Islington Station’s open day on 17^th August – all are welcome.

3^rd October confirmed as the branch social night.

Date of next meeting

9^th September 2003.