The recent meeting with HESA on January 24th issues discussed included, Study leave for named courses, National Fleet, Conditions of stations, Salary titles i.e.: ambulance Driver, uniforms, a second licence for E.M.T.’s.
Meeting 31st January Liberty hall Dublin
Concerns were made at the lack of driving experience of EMT who have just come into the job and the
Lack of driving training for all E.M.T.’s. This is to be brought up with HSEA.
LSI Long Service Increment- For those who were in the service in 1998 and previously, were entitled to LSI straight after point 8 but for all those after that date they must serve three years at point 8 before going onto point 9.
Arbitration: the issue of double time has been resolve and will be paid for rest day working. A letter of sanction of payment issues has yet to be sent to the boards. E.M.T.’s can claim for them from January and but may not be paid for until sanction letter comes out. This also includes diploma payment, and bank holiday consolidated rate back to June 2001.
Some discussion was had on the rostered annual leave.
An increase in the uncertified sick leave is to be sought form 5 to 7 days in line with the norm.
Grading structure should be discussed and recommendations should be made to IARC reps.
NEHB- Eddie Ferris advised the meeting of the situation in Navan in relation a threatened strike over compensation for on-call elimination. It was noted that the IARC committee is fully behind their colleagues in Navan.
MHB – Gearóid Oman brought up some issues
Unrostered staff – our own colleagues should look after Unrostered staff and that they should have entitlements i.e.: Rosters in advance 10 days, maximum 2 stations. Some other board advice that unrostered staff in there board were getting either mileage to travel to other stations or use of a vehicle and 1hr travel there and back and subs.
Payment of Diploma – payment of diploma should be looked for as part of EMT basic course so EMT do not have to pay it out and then receive rebate.
Finishing times – This mater was discussed.
CEN – John Duggan to get copies.
EMT contract & probation – There seems to be no obligation on the board to start probation from the time an EMT is qualified but that the incremental credit date be from the date completion of training.
Condition of Stations – all stations to look for information requested at an earlier date and send it back.
Standby at side of the road – a new practice of standing by at the side of the road has started in the MHB, a practise we are fighting on the grounds that there are no facilities. I would like to know what other health boards it is happening in. Should not be done, no one else doing it. NEHB disagree with it and in England they are trying to phase it out due to assault on E.M.T.’s.
Legislative powers –gaining entrance, use of hard shoulder & bus lanes without emergency, Assault.
Some right with regard accidents i.e. compensation and if assaulted. Gearóid asked to look into what the fire Brigade and Gardaí have in relation to legislation and Emergency Status.
EU- On-call retained Fire Fighters, it is gone to legal departments again.
Pension – A group has been formed to look into this and will have a result some time after June.
SHB – John Duggan gave an account of a situation that has arisen (between E.M.T.’s) as they have been trying to implement some progressive changes.
Due to the meeting running late the report on the PHECC was put back until the next meeting.
Some discussion was had about the negotiating committee of which there are 5 at the moment.
A draft questionnaire was agreed and is to be sent to all E.M.T.’s for the purpose of gathering information on some aspects of the job.
IARC negotiating committee to meet with HSEA on February 8th in Port Laois
Meeting adjourned
Will benchmarking sort out pensions and grading?
NO. It will only look into pay.
Can they put productivity measures in with rise?
Yes
What happens if the result is not satisfactory?
The IARC will then call a meeting to discuss what action to take.
When will we be paid?
We don’t know but all who go for benchmarking will be paid at the same time. The unions will be negotiating new partnership and as part of that, dates for the implementation of benchmarking rises will be discussed and agreed. The good news is that whenever we are paid we will get 25% of the rise backdated to December 01 and all who go in for benchmarking will be paid at the same time i.e. Nurses, teachers etc.
Will the 4% Oct 2002 be interfered with as part of PPF?
No.
Did you know that everyone is entitled to a drugs card by the health board? If you present this card when buying prescription drugs at a chemist your will only have to pay a max of £42 in any one calendar month.