Staff facing loss of £5,000 in unsocial hours pay
Monday 24 January 2011
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EmailUp to £5,000 a year could be taken from the wages of frontline ambulance staff as part of a drive to cut costs, the GMB union warned today.
South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) is proposing to achieve savings by reducing unsocial hours payments, according to the union.
Critics said there was a "very real" fear that patient safety could be compromised by the plans.
But the trust - which covers a population of 4.5 million across Kent, Sussex and Surrey - disputed union claims that alternatives could include reducing salaries or making up to 30 staff redundant.
GMB regional organiser Rob Macey said: "GMB will fight these proposals which will have a devastating effect on employees and their families.
"Members feel they are being treated appallingly by Secamb, who appear hell-bent on making these cuts in order to achieve their Foundation Trust status.
"Morale is now at an all-time low and it is a very real fear that patient safety could be put in jeopardy."
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