Merseyside and Cheshire Ambulance workers strike again
It's as rows over pay and staffing levels have not been resolved
Ambulance workers across Merseyside and Cheshire are out on strike again today.
Members of the Unison union are walking out in a row over pay and staffing levels.
Some paramedics, emergency care assistants, ambulance technicians, 999 call handlers and control room staff will also walk out.
Unison’s strikes involves workers across five services in England – London, Yorkshire, the South West, North East and North West.
Nationally it will be the fifth strike period in a continuing dispute over pay and staffing issues.
David Robb, Unison representative and paramedic, is based in Warrington and has worked in the NHS for 37 years.
He said: “It’s not easy to recruit to paramedic level these days because, unless they are coming from another service and are already trained, it’s a three-year programe.
“So, for every paramedic you lose, technically, it’s three years until you can replace them.
“It’s like a production line. We start the off at the beginning of the conveyer belt but we can’t retain them at the end because they fall off.”
UNISON members say they are asking for a ‘meaningful pay increase’ but the government has insisted they can't afford it.
Some people have taken to social media after last night's announcement that Members of Parliament will get a 2.9% pay increase from 1st April.
This, for many MP’s, will bring their overall salary from £84,144 to £86,584.
Many reacted saying this seems ‘unfair’ and an 'absolute farce' as staff, like NHS workers, are struggling financially.
David said: “We’ve got a lot of staff who struggle to make ends meet from one month to another.
“Sometimes they can't get in to work because they can’t afford the petrol.
“They are working excessive amounts of overtime, which is causing fatigue, anxiety and stress on their home life, just to try and make it possible to try and be able to live to a reasonable standard.”
Downing Street have said they understand that the continuing industrial action will concern the public.
The prime minister's official spokesman said: "We are putting in place significant mitigations that have previously helped reduce some of the impact from these strikes.
"But first and foremost we would ask the unions to reconsider that approach and continue discussions."
Some staff from the North West Ambulance Services (NWAS) will be on strike today (Friday 10th February) between 7am and 7pm.
The strike affects non-life threatening calls only and people are advised to use the 999 service in an emergency.