More than 10,000 ambulance workers to stage four more strikes amid anger over pay
Paramedics, emergency care assistants, and call handlers are all set to walk out, as Ian Woods reports
More than 10,000 ambulance workers will stage fresh strikes in February and March, the GMB union has announced.
Paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff are all set to walk out amid anger directed at the government over low pay.
The dates include February 6, February 20, March 6 and March 20.
Which trusts will be affected?
South West Ambulance Service
South East Coast Ambulance Service
North West Ambulance Service
South Central Ambulance Service
North East Ambulance Service
East Midlands Ambulance Service
Welsh Ambulance Service
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
In addition, workers at West Midlands ambulance service will strike on January 23, with GMB members at North West Ambulance Service striking on January 24.
Nurses are also due to strike on February 6 – meaning mass disruption can be expected across the NHS on that day. Nurses will also strike the following day, February 7.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said ambulance workers have been "left with no choice but industrial action".
“GMB’s ambulance workers are angry. In their own words ‘they are done’," Ms Harrison said.
"Ministers have made things worse by demonising the ambulance workers who provided life and limb cover on strike days - playing political games with their scaremongering.
"The only way to solve this dispute is a proper pay offer. But it seems the cold, dead hands of the Number 10 and 11 Downing Street are stopping this from happening.
"GMB ambulance workers are determined, they’re not going to back down."
"It’s up for this Government to get serious on pay. We are waiting,” she added.
Shortly before the announcement on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of deflecting and blaming others for ambulance delays experienced by patients.
The Labour leader's criticism of Rishi Sunak came after he highlighted the case of a 26-year-old woman with cancer who collapsed at home in Plymouth and died while waiting for an ambulance.
The Commons fell silent as Sir Keir raised the case of Stephanie, explaining: “Her mum rang 999, desperate for help. She only lived a couple of miles from the hospital, but they couldn’t prioritise her.
“A young woman whose life was ended far too soon. As a dad, I can’t even fathom that pain," he added.
The prime minister did not offer an apology in response to Sir Keir’s demand but pressed Labour to support anti-strike legislation.
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