wage decrease in role

[Gill123]

I am employed by private ambulance company as an EMT (emergency medical technician) for past 7 years, but the EMT role has now been replaced with ECA role and company have given me 1 months’ notice, then I with either have to study as ECA (10 months study and exam) or become an ICT (intermediate care assistant) - but in 1 month they are automatically making me an ICA for good or until I take and pass exam as ECA, this involves a wage drop from 24,00 an annum to 18,000 per annum - I won’t be able to pay my mortgage are they allowed to do this? In my contract it says they can make changes to contract if they give 1 months’ notice?

[teaboy2]

Re: wage decrease in role

Can you post up a copy of your contract in full minus employer and you personal details please - So we can make sure there's no (hidden) clauses in it that may allow this based on the fact you company contracts itself out to provide emergency service (or i assume emergency services)

Though i think me answer to your question will likely be a resounding "no they can not" till i know full details and your contract terms

Out of personal curiosity, does or did your employer have a depot in North Yorkshire between york and scarborough? - Answer by private message if you prefer.

P.s. Whats ICA stand for? - forgive my ignorance but everyone's got abbreviations for their job titles nowadays and abbreviations aren't any good unless you known what it stands for.

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

Hi,

The ECA (emergency care assistant) - same as EMT really, both jobs pay 24,000 per annum, but the EMT qualification has now been replaced with the ECA qualification. The ICT is a lower paid job and not as qualified, so you only get 18,000 per annum. My contract is pages long and I have no idea how I can copy and put it up here? I am not aware of my employer having a depot in North Yorkshire.

I have attached the letter I received from company though. The NHS just gave there own EMT a new title of ECA without having to take course I believe.

EMT = emergency medical technician
ECA = emergency care assistant
ICT - intermediate care technician

[teaboy2]

Re: wage decrease in role

@Kati may have a fax number you can fax contract too. Its vital we see the contract to make sure we give you right advise. Dont worry @Kati is a site team member and she will forward copy of contract to me (Please Kati) and it will be kept confidential by myself and kati and team, that i guarantee.

I'm still airring on the view that they can not do this as it would amount to a variation of terms if this was a usually contract of employment, but because your basically working for a sub contractor who's contracted to provide emergency staff etc, a lot depends on what your contract terms are - Hence why its important we see your contract. Though am pretty certain they can not do what they suggesting as the changes are simply to bigger a changes, and more or less a complete new set of expressed contractual terms under the employment rights act.

But once i've seen your contract i can say for definite either way then. Also can you post the rest of the letter please as only see one page, and nothing about wages is mentioned.

[Kati]

Re: wage decrease in role

@Kati may have a fax number you can fax contract too. Its vital we see the contract to make sure we give you right advise. Dont worry @Kati is a site team member and she will forward copy of contract to me (Please Kati) and it will be kept confidential by myself and kati and team, that i guarantee.

Unfortunately I don't have a fax number :sorry: but if [MENTION=66894]Gill123[/MENTION] can take pictures or scan her contract and email it to me ( kati@legalbeagles.info ) I'd be happy to post a redacted copy on here or forward it to you [MENTION=19071]teaboy2[/MENTION] if she prefers to keep it off the forum :nod:
K xx

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

Hi,

Thanks so much for your help - I dont have scanner so can only photograph it one page at a time - it can attach that to forum or email but probably only a few pages at a time is this ok?

I have emailed the person who sent me the letter that I attached last night (cant sleep for worrying as Im 61 years old and Dyslexia so taking a course and exams at this stage in my life is very stressful) This was the questions I asked and the replies:

1.The consultation period you state is one month from the date of this letter, so 18^th June?
Yes consultation period is set out from the 18^th May to the 18^th June, however this can be extended or shortened depending on how the consultation progresses


2.My salary will stay the same until 18^th June and then be reduced to the pay rate of an ICT at 18,000 per annum?
This will be picked up in more detail at the consultation meeting


3.I am required to take the FPos course very soon and will then be working as an ICT for your company, which in fact is a demotion from my skills that you have be happy to employ me for during the last 7 years?
You will be given FPoS training very shortly – you need to discuss how you feel that this is a skills demotion from EMT to FPoS at your meeting, but as we need to change our staff skills profile to meet our customer needs, the 2 skill routes available will only be FPoS or ECA – both of which are accredited courses, whereas our old MSL EMT course was not externally accredited. More details on the ECA route will be discussed at your consultation meeting.
4.If I continue, in your words, upskilling to an ECA which has the same wage as my role as EMT now, will I be on this reduced wage from 24,000 per annum I receive now, to 18,000 until I qualify as an ECA?
This should be discussed at your consultation meeting, but if in principle you elect to follow the ECA path then we would consider whether your pay is held at the current EMT level (which is the same as the ECA level) until you achieved your ECA qualification (within an agreed timeframe). If you did not achieve your ECA qualification then in principle as the EMT role would no longer be available and you would revert to the ICT role and the associated pay rate.

I needed answers so I could prepare for this consultation meeting and I stated this, but although I have not been given a date it sounds like it could be next week or even tomorrow.



5.Will my shift patterns, 4 on, 4 off remain the same or be different please?
I don’t know what would change with regards to your shift patterns, this would need to be discussed at your consultation meeting

[teaboy2]

Re: wage decrease in role

Ok so its sounds like if you elect to take the ECA course they are offering, your pay would stay the same as now, and only reduce to the lower rate of ICT if you fail to pass the course in the agreed time frame, which i assume the time frame has not yet been decided on. Though as you suffer dyslexia, i think you should ask them what additional support they would give you to help you achieve the ECA qualification within the time frame as a result of you being dyslexic, and therefore likely to struggle more so than others with doing the course.

Take your time posting the photos up, but make sure none show yours of the companies details on them if possible.

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

Hi,

I am now going to attach contract taken as 16 photos (sorry) best I can, but thank you for taking the time and trouble to help its very much appreciated.

[teaboy2]

Re: wage decrease in role

Hi Gill

I will wait till you get them all uploaded. Then as soon as i get a spare moment i will look at them for you and let you know what i think!

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

part two - one more part to go.

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

thats it apart from signatures.

[teaboy2]

Re: wage decrease in role

Ok Gill

I will have a look either later this evening or in the morning - Don't worry there's still plenty of time yet. So tonight, just relax and take it easy!

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

Hi,

Just wondering if you have had time to read the contract and can offer any advice?

Thanks

[teaboy2]

Re: wage decrease in role

Sorry gill, not yet. remind by posting in morning and i will deffo look into it then - But please make sure you post to remind me.

[Gill123]

Re: wage decrease in role

Here is your friendly reminder teaboy