I work in the emergency services. I am civilian staff.
i currently work the following shift pattern
0600 x 1600 for 2 days
1200 x 2200 for 2 days
2200 x 0600 for days
4 days off
i have been working this shift pattern for 8 years. I am a full time worker and work the standard departmental shift pattern.
they are now doing an organisation-wide shift pattern review and it looks like they wants us to do 4 x 12 hour shifts and 4 off. I do not want to work this, I travel 1hr each way to work and my current arrangement allows me to go in and check on my elderly disabled parents and then pick up Dd from school on my way home from earlies, check on parents on lates and then spend the day there 4 days per month. 12 hour shifts knacker me and potentially they are looking at changing to 0700 x 1900 which would mean being out from 0600 to 2000.
we are a unionised workforce and our rep said that they would be consulting membership and a vote. Only 30% of the workforce would have to vote yes for them to try and enforce the pattern.
can anyone advise me on my rights, I don't see why a bunch of 20 somethings with no commitments or responsibilities should result in a significantly detrimental change to my working hours and indeed surely changing contract should be per individual worker not everyone.
flexible working is not an option, they refuse it for everyone and despite having been challenged nothing happens.