NIPSA has given a cautious welcome to the Health Ministers announcement of a temporary increase from 20p to 30p to the AFC Mileage over 3,500 miles together with further measures to be explored such as the Trust’s to consider utilising fuel cards.
This is reported as a temporary measure for 6 months while we await the longer term Report of the NHS Staff Council Review of AFC Travel Terms and Conditions.
NIPSA believes this position on mileage does not resolve the continued onslaught of rising prices and high Inflation, nor will these promises reduce the immediate shortfall of cash in your pocket that you have suffered to date.
The bureaucratic process of turning promises into cash, as we are all too well aware, is often subject to delay due in part to the complicated protocols involved but also the ongoing under investment in staff and resources required to deal with multiple priorities.
NIPSA will continue to campaign for early implementation along with more permanent solutions to ensure inflationary rises apply to all elements of the mileage affected above and below the 3,500 mile cut off.
NIPSA continues to reiterate the urgency of a situation which will see many employees falling into Fuel Poverty with some forced to park up their cars due to the excessive costs of fuel and the lack of immediate funds as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
NIPSA members who find themselves in a position of considering “food or fuel” or having to park their vehicles at the side of the road as a result of an inability to afford fuel should advise Management of their situation, request a risk assessment and request the provision of an alternative source of transport to carry out their duties funded by their Employer.
NIPSA would advise all members to communicate their position to management, putting them on notice in writing with regards to any negative impact on their health and well-being arising from their working conditions.
Members should seek further advice and support as appropriate, including medical advice, with regards to attending or maintaining their Employment.
While the changes are a step in the right direction, more needs to be done and along with Health Sister Trade Unions NIPSA will reinforce the continued need for urgent action to ensure the reimbursement of Travel costs in a manner that reduces the delays and the ongoing Fuel stress they are suffering.
NIPSA will continue to make representations on the need to address the mileage rate below 3,500 miles as this element has also been suffering due to rising inflation and fuel costs.
Where concerns exist with Finance/HR around the use of fuel cards in regards to governance and employees being perceived as receiving a benefit in kind which may incur additional tax costs, NIPSA will continue to reiterate the view that more Trust vehicles would be an additional resource and staff should not incur any detriment for carrying out their duties.
NIPSA reiterates that part of the problem is the imbalance caused by a shortage of staff in posts and that those remaining who have to cover will therefore incur extra mileage that they wouldn’t normally do in a fully staffed team.
This is like an additional tax on them for demonstrating loyalty and commitment and they should not have to subsidise the Health Service further.
NIPSA raised member’s concerns around the potential of payments being delayed to December due to processes required to amend the HRPTS system and restated the importance of getting payments into member’s pockets as quickly as possible. NIPSA therefore welcomes the response of Officials who have suggested implementing a possible manual payment process supported by additional staff.
Longer Term, NIPSA will continue to reinforce the uniqueness of Northern Ireland's joint Health and Social Care structure within the UK and ensure this is taken into consideration when looking at the outworking’s of the awaited NHS Staff Council Review of AFC Travel Terms and Conditions.
NIPSA will place Employers on Notice that the above immediate advices continue to require urgent attention and without this will be escalated to formal dispute and subject to Ballot for formal Industrial Action going forward.
Please contact NIPSA Membership Services and ensure your details are up to date and accurate in preparation for further communications and future ballots.
Please continue to communicate with your NIPSA Representatives and follow NIPSA online to keep up to date with the latest information in your area.