EAST OF ENGLAND — Plans for industrial action at the East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) have been called off following the organisation’s decision to abandon controversial proposals to change staff working arrangements.
The move comes after months of tension between the ambulance service and the GMB Union, which represents more than 1,500 employees at the trust. The dispute centred on proposals to introduce a “teams-based working” system that, according to union representatives, would have undermined work-life balance and discriminated against staff with caring responsibilities or disabilities.
Union Concerns Over Work-Life Balance and Equality
The GMB Union raised multiple concerns about the proposed restructuring, arguing that the changes would have placed additional strain on workers already facing significant pressure from increasing service demands. Members also said the new structure had not been properly communicated and risked creating confusion that could negatively affect both staff morale and patient care.
Union leaders warned that the proposed model would unfairly disadvantage employees who rely on flexible schedules to accommodate family or health needs. They also claimed that it had the potential to deepen existing inequalities within the workforce.
The GMB challenged the plans both through informal discussions and a formal conciliation process with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), but talks ended without agreement. As a result, industrial action had appeared increasingly likely, raising fears of disruption to ambulance services over the busy Christmas period.
New Leadership Intervenes
A breakthrough came with the appointment of Neill Moloney as the new Chief Executive Officer of the East of England Ambulance Service Trust. After reviewing the situation, Moloney decided to withdraw the proposed changes, effectively preventing strike action from going ahead.
The decision has been welcomed by the GMB, which described it as a positive signal that the trust’s leadership was taking a fresh approach to employee relations after several difficult years.
“A Breath of Fresh Air”
Donna Thomas, GMB Regional NHS Organiser, praised the CEO’s decision, saying it marked a turning point in the trust’s culture and management style.
“It is a breath of fresh air that, after five years of declining culture within the EEAST, Neill Moloney has decided to take a different approach.
“He has listened to the workforce and shown he cares about them more than statistics.
“GMB looks forward to working with him to improve the wellbeing of our members, which will positively impact patient care.”
The remarks reflect growing optimism among staff representatives that relations between the trust’s leadership and its workforce could now begin to improve after years of internal strain and public criticism of staff welfare and working conditions.
Avoiding Disruption Over Christmas
Had the dispute escalated, the East of England region could have faced significant service disruptions during one of the busiest times of the year for emergency care. The ambulance trust covers six counties — Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk — serving more than six million residents.
Industrial action by paramedics, call handlers and support staff could have put additional pressure on hospitals and emergency departments, many of which are already struggling to cope with high demand. The decision to avert strike action is therefore seen as a relief both for management and for the wider NHS system across the region.
Looking Ahead
With the immediate dispute resolved, attention now turns to rebuilding trust and ensuring that future changes to working arrangements are developed collaboratively. The GMB Union has indicated its willingness to work closely with the new CEO to address long-term issues affecting staff wellbeing, workload management and communication.
The outcome is being viewed by observers as an early test of Moloney’s leadership and his commitment to improving employee relations within one of England’s largest ambulance trusts.
For the union, the decision represents a significant victory in defending members’ rights and ensuring that changes to operational structures are introduced only after meaningful consultation.
By scrapping the proposed teams-based model, EEAST has avoided a potentially damaging confrontation and opened the door to a new phase of cooperation aimed at stabilising the workforce and improving patient outcomes across the East of England.
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