London Ambulance Service Unison Branch

Branch Committee Meeting

9^th September 2003 10.30 am -- Conference Room LAS HQ

In the absence of Eddie Brand, George Achilles chaired the meeting. He introduced Terry Gibson to the meeting.

Minutes from 12^th August 2003 are unavailable at present.

None at present.

ER distributed information regarding Legal Forms currently being processed and the amount of compensation which has been won.

A reply has been received from John Hutton MP in response to a letter sent to Health Minister Rosie Winterton MP. It was felt that as the Minister overseeing NHS Ambulance Services, a reply from the Minister herself would have been more appropriate, especially as it referred to her visit to LAS HQ.

Thanks have been received following the branches donation to the Ambulance Service Workers Hardship Fund.

Thanks have also been received from Jonathon Edwards following the branches sponsorship of his charity bike ride.

Subscriptions rebanding from 1^st October 2003. This has taken place to take into account higher earners who are Unison members e.g. those in management positions, nursing manager’s etc. Information regarding subscriptions will be sent out.

Rough Guide to Clinical Governance within the LAS distributed. All paper work from the LAS has been sent to CHI (Commission for Health Improvement). This ranges from over 4 million copies of calls to what drugs are carried. Hopefully funding will continue if a good report is received. All members of staff have an input into how well the LAS will perform.

Subscription of £48.75 to the Labour Research Department is due. All agreed to continue with this.

The committee informed of the sad death of QAT Lee Foster. All agreed for the branch to pay £500 donation.

Audit request received from the Branch Treasurer regarding travel claims.

Reminder for the next Partnership Meeting being held on 18^th Sept 2003 at Millwall FC.

The MDT screens fitted to vehicles would currently fail an MOT test. The branch view would be to have them removed. The DOT will need to clarify this. JU highlighted the situation in Beds & Herts. Ambulance Service, CT stated that as a union we should reject them asap. ER stated that MDT screens have appeared in ambulances without proper consultation regarding H&S and risk management but now hopefully all parties will now be involved. The DOT is meeting with the LAS and Unions next week to look at the vehicles concerned, and the Branch will wait until the outcome of this meeting is known.

MA confirmed a number of new retired members and gave a verbal report.

No reply as of yet from Julie Grant – Unison Welfare. This despite a follow up letter being sent to her. Committee suggests sending another letter by recorded delivery. SH to give copies of letters to Branch Secretary. This issue is about the losses recorded by Unison Welfare on the stock market.

SH to Deal

BA gave a verbal report to the committee.

Committee members need to update the contact page on the branches website. The Branch Secretary gave a verbal report on behalf of the Branch Communication Officer.

New members were accepted into the branch.

The branch is looking to hold a free one day computer training course at the Workers Education Association in Old Street. The Branch Secretary updated the committee on the progress of the partnership agreement with the LAS regarding Union Learning Reps.

JW highlighted problems where Whipps Cross PTS staff who had transferred from Essex Ambulance Service were not receiving meal breaks. The Branch Secretary and Chair would also follow this up.

JW/DS to deal

Problems highlighted with the Staff Council Elections due to staff movements. Steve Harbord graciously stood down from the Staff Council following his transfer to the West Sector. The committee thanked SH for all his efforts whilst on the Staff Council, however he will carry on as Branch Welfare Officer. Rob Sydney was elected in his place.

MB distributes forms for the computer training course.

KW problems with staff not receiving mileage claims for attending clinical guidelines courses. EB to deal

CT asked has any information been received regarding tax on Subsistence claims? ER not as yet, will report back when information is available.

ER please note next Branch Officers will be on 14^th October 2003 at HQ.

Date of next meeting

11^th November 2003.