Ambulance Workers in Wales Strike
Members of Unite Union walk out in row over pay and conditions
Ambulance Workers in Wales are walking out again today, as Unite union holds its first day of industrial action.
Workers are headed to the picket lines over pay and working conditions.
They join the GMB union, after talks with the Welsh Government to end strike action were unsuccessful last week.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister Russell George MS said: “The pressures on NHS staff is huge and I appreciate the dispute is not an easy one to solve, but we need the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay to start negotiating seriously rather than blaming UK ministers for failing in its own responsibilities – something unions have echoed.
“The latest statistics show Wales recording its slowest-ever ambulance response times and Britain’s worst A&E waits and longest waiting list – I am certain this will not meaningfully change any time soon under Labour’s current approach.
“Patients cannot be allowed to suffer with our public services at a standstill and staff cannot be expected to burnout because Labour ministers cannot get their act together.”
Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for health and care, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said: “These strikes are the last resort of a workforce on its knees.
“Health workers are the bedrock of our health service and that foundation has been shaken by years of real terms pay cuts and lack of adequate workforce planning.
“Welsh Government must engage in meaningful pay negotiation to avert further strikes in the health service and use the money they have – however scarce – to prioritise fairer pay for health and care workers.”