Chris Bretton

Position: Branch Secretary and Workplace Organiser - North Essex Locality
Email Address:
Telephone Number: 07876 201663

Bio:
I joined Essex Ambulance Service in April 2006 and was one of the last EMT's trained by Essex, but due to the amalgamation of the three previous Ambulance Trusts into the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust I was also deemed one of the first EEAS EMT's. Although a GMB member before joining the Trust I became a Workplace Organiser purely by accident in 2011.  Apparently my name had been put forward as 'someone who wouldn't tolerate or allow others to be bullied'.  A long time has since passed and we continue to suuport and advise our members and colleagues through many situations they may find themselves in.

Donna Thomas

Position: Branch President and Workplace Organiser - Mid Essex
Email Address:
Telephone Number: 07854 112460

Bio:
I joined the ambulance service 12 years ago and became a rep by accident.  At the time I had some issue, and the union rep was less than useless, so as I had been a business owner and self-employed most of my life, I did some investigating and took on the management directly alone with no union support and achieved what I needed. I decided that there were many people like myself that needed that support so became a rep in Braintree, and not looked back since 😀

Debbie Gibbs

Position: Workplace Organiser - East Suffolk
Email Address:

Lewis Roberts

Position: Workplace Organiser - North Essex
Email Address:

Andrew Allen

Position: Workplace Organiser - Bedford
Email Address:

Paul Cullen

Position: Workplace Organiser - West Suffolk
Email Address:

Bio:

Hi colleagues,

 

Paul Cullen here, Workplace Organiser for West Suffolk, working out of Bury St Edmunds, Parkway station. I joined GMB in 2018 after becoming disillusioned with the 'official' Union in EEAST and became a Workplace Organiser/'Rep' in 2020.

I began my Ambulance Service career in Manchester on PTS in 1996 and started as an EMT in 2001, transferring to EEAST in 2008. After 16 years as an EMT I became a Paramedic and first registered in 2017. As Workplace Organisers we can advise you on hearings, disciplinaries and other employment & work-related matters. We can represent you if needed or accompany you to make sure Management stick to the rules and policies.

Remember you’re only a false allegation away from losing your income or reputation and only as a member of GMB can you call on GMB Reps and Legal Services to fight the injustices I unfortunately see all the time. You insure your car, your house and your life… Being part of a Union means you’re insuring the job that pays for all that!

Alan Colley

Position: Workplace Organiser - Bury St Edmonds
Email Address:

Gary Applin

Position: Workplace Organiser - Thetford
Email Address:

Bio:
I have been a trade unionist for a number of years and my reason for being a representative is that I dislike unfairness immensely that I have been on the end of, and I have looked after members who have been subjected to unfairness and bullying over many years. Apart from this my pet hates are excuses especially when it concerns to staff welfare and bad drivers.  I joined GMB and feel we are the best fair, equitable and member focussed Trade Union within the Trust.

Jo-Anne Callaghan

Position: West Suffolk Workplace Organiser
Email Address:

Juliet Hawkins

Position: Workplace Organiser - Basildon

Kieran Jopling

Position: Workplace Organiser - East Suffolk
Email Address:

Bio:
Hi I'm Kieran.  I've been employed by EEAST for 6 years.  I am on my Student Paramedic pathway, based in East Suffolk. In my time with EEAST I have worked in Patient Transport in Suffolk, and the Norwich control room as a call handler before moving out on to the road when I joined the SAP pathway. I enjoy new challenges and helping others suceed as well as advising and guiding people.  I am looking forward to my new journey with the GMB. In my spare time I enjoy family days out with my partner and children, particularly going to the zoo or swimming.

Lee Hudson

Position: Workplace Organiser - Mid Essex
Email Address:

Rik Gray

Position: Workplace Organiser - Norwich
Email Address:
Telephone Number: 07876182084

Bio:
I have been employed by the East of England Ambulance Trust since 1999 when I started as a control assistant before becoming an EMT. I qualified as a paramedic via the Northampton university student paramedic pathway in 2016 and I'm registered with the College of Paramedics.  With the Trust, I work part-time (helps with stress and would encourage others to do this too!) and I also work as a police custody medic for CRG Medical Services across Norfolk and Suffolk.   I represent members in Norfolk and also Suffolk if required. My passions are mental health and ensuring it is addressed by the Trust, health and safety (previously IOSH trained and involved with the HSE for improvement notices served to the Trust for manual handling and violence and aggression) and finally, trying to get the ambulance service into the 21st century by having ambulance crews being able to access patient records! Please contact me for queries or support, I am happy to email management if you are struggling with issues to remind them of your employment rights (but in a diplomatic way of course!).

Stephanie Beckwith

Position: Workplace Organiser - South East Essex
Email Address:

Steve Colmer

Position: Workplace Organiser - Management Support