September 2025

Hi Everyone

It has been a while since I have added to this page so please accept my apologies.

For over 6 months now, 16 ICC Educators have been taking strike action. They are taking this action because they are all getting different rates of pay for doing exactly the same job.  You can find more information about this dispute here NWAS UNISON - ICC Educators Dispute and it would be great if you could show your support.

While I am on the subject of the ICC staff, at this years conference in Liverpool, a UNISON report was launched on pressures being faced by control room staff based on data from freedom of information requests submitted to all ambulance Trusts. Findings of the report included the fact hat 27% of  NHS ambulance control room staff have quit theor jobs over the past 3 years due to a lack of support and the distressing calls that lead to high sickness levels. If you work in any of the control rooms and would like to be used as a Case Study, you can get involved by emailing ambulance@unison.co.uk.

For many years, UNISON has been working hard to try to get the retirement age of ambulance staff reduced. UNISON has now commissioned  research to be carried out by Cardiff and Solent University which will explore the physical and mental impact of ambulance work on staff. On 16 October, we are holding an ambulance sector retirement age planning event which will be attended by ambulance reps from across the UK. I can confirm that I will be attending to represent the North West.

Its that time of year when there is a vote for the UNISON General Secretary. This year, there are two candidates, Christina McAnea and Andrea Egan. We are due to meet as a Branch very soon to discuss their request for our Branch Support for their nominations. At the time of writing, no decision has been made but ultimately, it will be you, the members, who will be actually making the vote to decide who the General Secretary will be.