Overview

• EEAST is considering a shift to team-based working that would group crews into small teams with an on‑shift line manager and team leader on fixed, identical patterns.
• Union officials and frontline staff say the model would redesign rotas, break long‑standing crewmate pairings and could move personnel between stations, raising patient‑safety concerns.
• An indicative GMB vote recorded 80% support for industrial action on an 80% turnout, signalling strong member opposition to the proposal.
• EEAST leadership says the changes aim to improve support and collaboration, align staff with managers and preserve safety, citing feedback from staff surveys about limited manager contact.
• Talks between the trust and unions continue to avoid walkouts, with the GMB warning it could send formal strike ballots to members before the end of September.