South Central Ambulance Service staff could go on strike, as 15,000 ambulance workers across the country begin voting on industrial action.

More than 15,000 ambulance workers across 11 trusts in England and Wales begin voting on strike action today (October 24).

Strike action is being voted on over the Government’s four per cent pay award, which staff say is a real terms pay cut.    

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The ballot opens today and closes on 29 November, with any potential strike action possibly taking place before Christmas.

Thousands more NHS workers will also be balloted across other NHS trusts, with more votes set to follow.

The strike ballots follow consultative votes across all the trusts in which workers voted strongly in favour of strike action.

Ambulance workers from the following trusts will take part in the vote, which closes on 29 November: 

  • East of England Ambulance Service
  • East Midlands Ambulance Service
  • London Ambulance Service
  • North East Ambulance Service
  • North West Ambulance Service
  • South Central Ambulance Service
  • South East Coast Ambulance Service
  • South West Ambulance Service
  • Welsh Ambulance Service
  • West Midlands
  • Ambulance Service
  • Yorkshire Ambulance Service

Rachel Harrison, a National Officer at the GMB union, 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 ten 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. 

 “But 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.” 

 

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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.

You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry

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