Ambulance workers in the South West to vote on strike action
The GMB union says thousands of members are being balloted over pay
Thousands of ambulance workers are going to vote on possible strike action, including those in Bristol, and across the South West.
South Western Ambulance Service is among 11 trusts being balloted by the GMB, with voting to start on 24th October.
The union says it is in disputes over pay and any walk-outs could happen before Christmas.
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 the union said leaves them facing "another massive real-terms pay cut".
Statement from the GMB
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.”
Which ambulance trusts are being balloted?
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 Western Ambulance Service
Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust.