Thousands of ambulance workers across the country are set to walk out in a dispute over pay in January after unions announced strike action with paramedics and 999 call handlers.
A strike scheduled for Dec 28 by ambulance workers at the GMB Union was delayed until January 11, when members of the Unison union will also strike.
They voted for strike action over the Government’s four per cent pay award amid soaring inflation, which currently stands at 11 per cent.
Unison has said its action – which will involve five NHS ambulance trust – will involve all ambulance employees, including call handlers, not just the 999 response crews as was the case on Wednesday. The union is also planning strike action on January 23rd.
NHS sources warned that elderly patients who fall at home face being left without an ambulance as they are unlikely to be included in the “life and limb” cover that will be provided during the action.
Meanwhile, the president of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine warned that the strikes will result in severely ill patients having to take themselves to A&E.
It comes as the country braces for a month of strike action. On Dec 20, up to 100,000 nurses walked out for the second time after a first day of strike on Dec 15.
When are the ambulance strike dates?
- Wednesday January 11 (GMB and Unison)
- Wednesday January 23 (Unison)
Unison has said its action – which will involve five NHS ambulance trusts – will involve all ambulance employees, including call handlers, not just the 999 response crews as was the case during the first ambulance strikes in December.
The union voted for strike action over the Government’s four per cent pay award amid soaring inflation, which currently stands at 11 per cent.
Welsh ambulance workers in Unite are also set to stage two strikes on January 19 and 23.
Members of the union at the Welsh Ambulance Service will walk out, but will continue to provide cover for life-threatening incidents.
Unite, which represents more than 1,000 members in the service, said 88 per cent voted to strike over a below-inflation pay offer from the Welsh Government.