West Midlands Ambulance workers on strike
Thousands of ambulance workers across the West Midlands have walked out.
Members of the GMB and Unite unions are on strike across the West Midlands today (January 23).
Paramedics, Emergency Care Assistants, call handlers and other staff will walk out from midnight until 12pm.
Major pickets will be staged in Stoke, Donnington, Dudley and Hereford.
Workers voted to strike over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award - which unions argue is a real terms pay cut.
Stuart Richards, GMB Senior Organiser, said: “West Midlands ambulance workers’ message is clear - the Government must talk pay now.
“While the NHS crumbles around our ears – despite ambulance workers desperate efforts – we have been waiting two weeks today for another meeting with Ministers.
“Instead of working to solve the problems, this Government has demonised the ambulance workers who provided life and limb cover on strike days.
“The only way to solve this dispute is a proper pay offer. We are waiting.”
The government has said it remains open to talks with unions and it's accepted the independent pay review body's recommendation to give one million NHS workers a pay rise of at least £1,400 this year.
"Only call 999 if critically unwell"
West Midlands Ambulance Service has said it will continue to respond to the most urgent calls during the strike action.
Emergency Services Operations Delivery Director, Nathan Hudson, said: “We have had productive discussions with our staffside colleagues to agree that ambulances will respond to:
- The most urgent calls such as cardiac arrests and where a crew request immediate back up at the scene of a case
- Other life-threatening cases such as heart attacks, strokes, difficulty in breathing and maternity cases
“In addition, staff in our non-emergency patient transport service will continue to convey vulnerable groups such as patients undertaking renal dialysis, cancer treatments, palliative care, emergency scans within the strike period timeframe.
“Only call 999 if critically unwell or there is risk to life. Ambulances will be dispatched where clinically appropriate.
“If you need medical help or advice, go to NHS 111 online (www.111.nhs.uk), your local GP or pharmacy.”