A UNION is urgently seeking talks with ambulance service bosses amid concerns over staff being refused the holidays they are entitled to.

Access to annual leave when you want it is “unreliable at best and non-existent at worst” GMB Southern claims.

Its members at South Western Ambulance Service want employers to consult with the union over “on-going, persistent and unfair refusals of annual leave requests”.

The union says the application of unfair operational annual leave limits mean many members have little or no control of when they can plan or take their holidays.

Members are often experiencing 10 or more refusals for annual leave.

There are also issues in regard to a recent rota review and implementation.

GMB regional organiser Gary Palmer said: “Members are fed up having application after application for annual leave turned down. Access to annual leave when you want it is unreliable at best and non-existent at worst, so when you and your family do get to plan holidays for the year, many members are finding themselves having to make their way into work even when off shift at midnight to try and get lucky in being granted annual leave 12 months in advance, many are still turned down regularly.

“The problem is they then find they are being refused because some unfathomable calculation for colleagues being off at the same time possibly up to 50 or 60 miles away on another station.

“The issue has no doubt been exacerbated after the implementation of what many members feel are excessive changes to rotas.”

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: “We received a letter from the GMB which has raised issues.

“This is the first time this concern has been flagged to us and we are keen to address the points raised with our staff through the appropriate channels.

“The trust has a duty to ensure there are enough staff on duty to meet demand, however, we are clear that once this core principal has been met consideration is given to ensure rotas are socially acceptable to staff.

“Staff welfare is a priority and we have mechanisms in place for staff to raise concerns.

“We also encourage staff to use our Staying Well Service which supports all staff in staying both emotionally and physically well.

“We look forward to discussing any issues raised at a meeting with GMB and staff representatives.”