Merseyside ambulance workers vote on strike action
Around 15,000 ambulance workers across the country will vote on whether to go on strike before Christmas
Last updated 24th Oct 2022
North West Ambulance Service staff are being asked to vote on whether they want to go on strike, as the GMB Union launches a formal industrial action ballot today.
The union has said around 15,000 ambulance workers across England and Wales will vote on industrial action, with potential strikes likely to take place before Christmas.
North West GMB organiser Mike Buoey, told us NHS workers can’t live off a 4% increase during the cost of living crisis.
Mike told us: “Throughout the pandemic our members in hospitals and the ambulance service were going to and from work every single day, putting their lives at risk and sadly some of them died from contracting Covid.
“Our members are quite insulted because a couple of years ago the former prime minister was encouraging people, every Thursday night at 8 o'clock, to go outside their doors and clap their hands for NHS workers.
"Yet when those same workers come and say 'can we have an increase in pay', that same government are saying 'no'.
“Ambulance workers, with NHS workers, were just the heroes at that time.
"When we ask for money off the government, for an increase in pay, the government don’t want to give it. We’re not the heroes anymore."
Almost 2,000 North West Ambulance Service paramedics and ambulance workers will be balloted, with dates of votes to be announced in the coming days.
The move comes following a consultative ballot which saw more than 95% of GMB members from the North West Ambulance Service vote in favour of a walk out.
Paramedics and ambulance workers are angry over the Government’s 4% pay award, which they say leaves them facing yet another massive real term pay cut.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We value the hard work of NHS staff and are working hard to support them – including by giving over one million NHS workers a pay rise of at least £1,400 this year.
“Industrial action is a matter for unions, and we urge them to carefully consider the potential impacts on patients.”
Mike told us: “We don’t take this action lightly, we care about the public across the Northwest, we care compassionately towards them, but we ask the government to rethink.
“4% is clearly just not enough money and we would want a substantial increase.”
GMB representatives say they've heard many stories from NHS staff in the northwest who are struggling to cope on their current pay.
Mike said “Some of our members have said to our representatives they’ve had to use food banks.
He added: “Our ambulance service is understaffed and over worked. Their low pay barely covers the essentials.
“It just isn’t good enough.”