Thousands of ambulance workers to vote on strike action over pay row
The union GMB said strikes could take place before Christmas.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Industrial action ballot dates have been announced for more than 15,000 ambulance workers across 11 trusts in England and Wales in disputes over pay.
Thousands more members across other NHS trusts will also be balloted, the GMB said.
Ambulance workers will start voting on October 24, with the result due at the end of November.
The union said any strike action could take place before Christmas.
This is about more than pay and conditions. Cuts and shortages mean GMB members feel they are unable to deliver safe standards of patient care
The ballots follow consultative votes across all the trusts in which workers voted strongly in favour of moving to a formal strike ballot.
The GMB said its members are angry over the Government’s 4% pay award, which it said leaves them facing “another massive real-terms pay cut”.
National officer Rachel Harrison said: “Ambulance workers have just had enough.
“They’ve not been on strike in decades but they are at the end of what they can take.
“Pay has been systematically slashed for more than 10 years and we now face the worst cost-of-living crush in a generation.
“Meanwhile vacancies are at record highs and we have the worst A&E delays ever – and it’s not even the winter flu season yet.
“This is about more than pay and conditions. Cuts and shortages mean GMB members feel they are unable to deliver safe standards of patient care.
“Things can’t go on like this – something has to give.”
The ambulance trusts where GMB members will be balloted are:
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust
North East Ambulance Service Trust
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
South Central Ambulance Service
South East Coast Ambulance Service
South West Ambulance Service
Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.