Meal Break Trial
From Wednesday 23rd June, a Meal Break Trial started across NWAS. This has come about as part of the on-going discussions that are taking place to try to agree a new NWAS wide meal break policy. While the trial takes place, all existing meal arrangements will continue to be applied as per the local agreements (Meal Windows etc).
Most Operational staff should not notice any real difference other than the fact that once they are stood down, they will not be disturbed for a 999 call. The trial also includes ECC staff who, once stood down, will not be disturbed. The idea of the trial is to collate accurate data that should help to determine whether or not the service can operate on unpaid breaks.
It is envisaged that the trial will continue for at least 4 weeks and we ask for all of our members to assist in making this trial a success no matter what the outcome is.
A Joint Notice is to be distributed to all sites very soon.
- Join the debate on the Meal Break Trial and workforce redesign developments on our forum
- Read our archived article about Workforce Redesign and the ongoing meal break negotiations
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This payment has been uncertain since it was introduced. Although we as members, if I remember correctly were assured it would be PERMANENT, as it is pension related?
If the management are confident they can run on none payment meal breaks, therfore making us not avialable during meal breaks, then surley this confirms that, they should garauntee staff that they will be eating within the meal break windows. This should be a garauntee for the union before they accept anything, they cant really expect to have it both ways, run us for 6 hours without a meal, and remove our payment. I suspect, that this will prove, that they will need to depend on staff to meet an maintain performance, after all, eating 6 hours into the shift is not a healthy attitude and the meal allowance will aid staff get private insurance cover for the anticipated ill health later on in life due to being run to the extreme during shift, without a meal, IT IS NOT HEALTHY!
So, one way or the other, if staff lose the payment, then they MUST, be granted the assuranc e they will eat within four hours of commencing shift, and also consider removing the 11 hour shift patterns delibrately introduced to ensure staff only get one meal break. If not this then means stff will be going another 6 plus hours before completing the shift without any rest periods?
I suspect after enterting negotiaions with manager they will come back with the old chestnut, ” WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT 8 HOUS SHIFT PATTERNS” and as we all already know, THEY DONT WORK EITHER! Good luck unison.
So far this trial appears to be working in that NWAS is maintaining a good performance standard. It will be interesting when the students start again in a few weeks and the winter pressures start. If you are experiencing any problems, it is essential that you let your area convenor know.