UNISON, the UK’s largest trade union, is pleased to announce a new pay boost for 999 call handlers working at East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EMAS).
This agreement comes in response to the notable increase in turnover among emergency call handlers at EMAS over the past year, nearly double that of other roles within the trust.
After six months of collaborative partnership working, UNISON and EMAS have successfully negotiated this comprehensive new deal which includes the introduction of a Recruitment and Retention Premium (RRP) and a firm commitment to conduct a comprehensive job description review.
Under the terms of the new deal, approximately 200 call takers will receive a Recruitment and Retention Premium of £1500 each, paid in three equal instalments of £500. The payment schedule is as follows:
£500 on September 24
£500 on December 24
£500 on March 24
The Recruitment and Retention Premium (RRP) serves as an additional payment to address market pressures that could hinder the recruitment or retention of staff in sufficient numbers at the standard salary for positions of similar weight.
UNISON East Midlands Ambulance Service branch secretary Stuart Hallowes said: “This significant deal recognises the invaluable contribution emergency call handlers make and ensures that they are fairly rewarded for their pivotal role in helping to save lives.
“I want to thank EMAS for their commitment to addressing the concerns raised by staff and look forward to further productive collaborations in the future.”
“The RRP is however a short-term solution and should not be misconstrued as a measure to address low pay.”
