More than 11,000 ambulance workers strike as ‘tin eared’ government refuses to talk pay

There’s a recruitment crisis in the NHS and the Government is missing in action, says GMB Union

More than 11,000 ambulance workers will walk out in England and Wales today [20 February 2023].

Paramedics, Emergency Care Assistants, call handlers and other staff will stage more than 100 pickets across eight different trusts [see notes for full list of trusts and pickets]

Workers across the ambulance service voted to strike over the Government’s imposed real-terms wage cut and are furious over the Government’s refusal to talk to them about pay.

In Wales, an extra 1.5 per cent consolidated pay and 1.5 per cent one off bonus was rejected by two thirds of members on Friday (17 February).

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said:

“Ambulance workers across England and Wales will strike today – entirely because this Government is tin eared.

“It’s been over a month since the Government engaged in any meaningful dialogue. They are missing in action and refuse to talk pay.

“There’s a recruitment crisis in the NHS. Solving the issue of pay is vital if we’re going to stem the tide of dedicated healthcare workers leaving the profession.

“The public back ambulance workers. The Government must listen to them and talk pay now.”