Pay deal for ambulance workers could be on the horizon after some strikes suspended
Unison and GMB unions called off Monday's planned industrial action.
A pay deal between the Government and unions representing ambulance staff could be on the horizon after major strikes were suspended.
Unison and GMB have called off industrial action - but Unite are still planning on walking out on Monday (6 March) and Wednesday (8 March) - and that includes key workers across the West Midlands.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said he "wants to start talks ASAP" with both Unison and GMB unions.
Unison and GMB made the decision to halt strikes after the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said money was available for potential pay rises covering this year and next.
Some 32,000 NHS workers would have been involved in planned Unison strikes - including 24,500 ambulance staff - while 13,000 ambulance workers were part of the GMB action.
However, Unite union - who will be going ahead with strikes - is calling the discussions "unreasonable pre-conditions" for negotiations imposed by the DHSC.
The Health Secretary has said he is keen to agree a "fair deal" with Unison and GMB, and called on Unite to "join other unions at the negotiating table".
Mr Barclay said: "I'm pleased unions representing the majority of ambulance workers, nurses and physios have agreed to pause strikes and begin formal talks.
"I want to start these talks ASAP to find a fair deal. I call on Unite to end strikes and join other unions at the negotiating table."
GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison said the Government's latest concession marks a "huge shift" in its position, but warned that "the strike will return with a vengeance should talks break down".
Unison's Sara Gorton said that industrial action would resume if discussions were not "meaningful".
On Monday, Unite members at ambulance trusts in the West Midlands, North West, South Central, South Coastal, and East Midlands will strike.
This marks the first time that Unite members in South Central and South Coastal have taken industrial action.
Members in Yorkshire, who are also striking for the first time, will take industrial action on Wednesday.