ASU
The
Ambulance Service Union ASU SCOTLAND@aol.com
Scotland
All general enquiries should be directed to ASUSCOTLAND@aol.com
The ASU has received many enquiries and questions, below is a list of the most frequent questions
and answers.
Should you have a question not listed, please send an email to ASUSCOTLAND@aol.com
If you are a member please quote your membership number if not we will still consider your
enquiry.
Q1. I joined the ASU prior to the merger with GMB and have not yet received my new
membership number. What should I do?
A1. Following the merger all members of the ASU were transferred to GMB North West & Irish
Regional Office in Liverpool. We are aware that some members have still to receive their new
membership card and number, and request that they complete all their details as posted on the
notice board on the web page. This will enable the Scottish Branch Secretary to deal with this direct.
Q2. In my station there is a broad mix of staff. Some are in the ASU, the other unions and many
are not in any union. The non union members say they are fed up with the unions as they have never
done anything for them in the past and often quote how they have allowed management to
mismanage the afc. They say they feel under pressure at times to join a union and at times this
creates tensions amongst staff. There is no ASU rep in our station what can we do?
A2. Everyone has a right to decide whether or not they wish to join a union and should not be
singled out or feel pressurised because of their individual opinion. It is unfortunate and a fact that
approximately a third of staff in the service are not in any union, they have little or no say in matters
which affect them most and can miss out in the benefits and security of good representation should
this need arise. This applies to any union; of course the ASU believes we offer the best services and
representation dealing solely with ambulance service matters and now following the merger with
GMB we have the added expertise of one of the UK’s national unions. Why not elect one of your
colleagues as a rep? The ASU understands this can be a daunting prospect especially if you have no
prior knowledge. This infact can be to your advantage. The training offered by the GMB@work
programme is exceptional and is tailored to suit the ASU within the ambulance services throughout
the UK. If you can arrange a meeting with the ASU members in your station we can send along some
of our branch officials to answer any of your questions and assist in organising your group. We are
prepared to make this an open meeting which may also encourage non union members to
reconsider their position.
The Ambulance Service Union is a branch of GMB : Working Together
REGIONAL OFFICE
Columbus Quay,
Riverside Drive,
Liverpool,
Tel: 0151 727 0077
Fax: 0151 728 2929
ASU
The
Ambulance Service Union ASU SCOTLAND@aol.com
Scotland
Q3. Why do management and the other unions refuse to acknowledge and accept the ASU
name?
A3. The ASU was formed by a group of ex Unison Officials and stewards that were
uncomfortable with the support and services offered by their union. They decided to form the ASU
which would deal solely with ambulance service matters and best serve the interests of ambulance
personnel. As the ASU grew in strength, this affected the membership of the other unions with the
added loss of member’s subscriptions.
The ASU name is recognised in other ambulance services as GMB/ASU or ASU/GMB; our
management are refusing to acknowledge our name because they say they have no agreement with
the ASU only the GMB and this has come direct from the Board. The ASU Scotland Branch Officials
along with the GMB full time officer are awaiting a date at National HQ to address this as a mater of
priority.
During the negotiations for merging the ASU with the GMB and as part of the Instrument of Transfer
which sets down the agreed conditions for the merger, it clearly states:
“(d) Former members of the transferring Union and persons first becoming members
of the receiving Union after the effective date and being recruited or allocated to an
ASU branch shall together be referred to as “ASU members”.
The full Instrument of Transfer can be accessed from the GMB web site and a copy also attached to
the notice board here. As soon as we have discussed this with management we shall post a notice
on this site.
Q4. I have been unable to contact a rep and find this totally unsatisfactory. The contact details
on the old ASU web site are out of date.
A4. This has been a matter of concern for all members of the Scotland Branch and numerous
requests have been made to have this updated or removed. There is a technical problem with the
old site which should be addressed soon. Following a meeting of members from ASU Branches
throughout the UK and the willingness and expertise of our administrator it was decided to set up
this site following the merger of the ASU and GMB.
Q5. Why is there so much hostility from some members of the other unions?
A5. This could be down to personalities; some people believe they will be found out for
decisions agreed with management in the past. The ASU bears no malice; it’s for the service
The Ambulance Service Union is a branch of GMB : Working Together
REGIONAL OFFICE
Columbus Quay,
Riverside Drive,
Liverpool,
Tel: 0151 727 0077
Fax: 0151 728 2929
ASU
The
Ambulance Service Union ASU SCOTLAND@aol.com
Scotland
employees to make their own interpretation of this which many have shown by the increase in our
membership.
Q6. I am not in any union and can understand if you do not reply. I have been of on long term
sick and will shortly be going on to half wages what can I do.
A6. This is only the second enquiry we have received on this subject and felt compelled to
address this here. There are so many variables such as your age, length of service, was your sickness
due to injury at work, what you see as a reasonable resolve for your future and of course the
involvement of your manager, OHS and your own GP. Some individuals believe they can manage this
on their own, however this can be a minefield and the expertise of the union can be extremely
beneficial on whether you return to work be this in a different role, receive more money if this
absence was caused by your employment or if by agreement you choose to retire on health grounds,
again if not managed correctly you could be at a disadvantage if not represented appropriately be
this in negotiation or just guidance. The ASU would strongly recommend that you join a union or if
you are at the stage of retiring consult with you personnel department and also consider the Citizens
Advice Bureau.
Q7. Why did the ASU choose to merge with the GMB?
A7. The ASU was growing steadily and overcoming many obstacles as they arose, a point was
reached when it became apparent that to progress and be taken to the next level we would need to
achieve formal recognition. The existing unions did not appeal as likely options as we had different
opinions and approach. The GMB were active within the NHS although the membership varied from
region to region throughout the UK we both believed we had much to offer each other and having
the best of both worlds the merger was negotiated and formalised.
The Ambulance Service Union is a branch of GMB : Working Together
REGIONAL OFFICE
Columbus Quay,
Riverside Drive,
Liverpool,
Tel: 0151 727 0077
Fax: 0151 728 2929