Dorset Ambulance workers vote on strike action today

The GMB union says walkouts could happen before Christmas

Author: Frankie GoldingPublished 24th Oct 2022
Last updated 24th Oct 2022

Thousands of ambulance workers are going to vote on possible strike action today, including those in Dorset.

South Western Ambulance Service is among 11 trusts being balloted by the GMB.

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 a real-terms pay cut.

Nathan Holman represents GMB ambulance workers in Dorset.

He told us here at Greatest Hits Radio: "We have full time staff that would normally be able to look after themselves and feed their families, having to go out and get food from other places - donations and food banks.

"Enough is enough.

"These people have put their hearts on the line to protect the rest of the country and all these MPs have done is give them a clap.

"It's about time they had a realistic pay rise that would enable them to do the job they are there to do.

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