Ambulance staff have announced two more strike days in Wales. Members of Unite will stage further walk-outs next month in addition to three days of strikes this week.
Thousands of GMB union members and Unite union members from Welsh Ambulance Service have joined picket lines on February 20, 21 and 22 this week after unions rejected a new pay offer from Welsh Government last week. The Welsh Government offered a pay increase of 1.5% and a one-off payment equivalent to a further 1.5% of salary on top of a 4.5% increase which has already been awarded.
Health minister Eluned Morgan said it was Welsh Government's final pay offer but unions have rejected it and vowed to keep striking until the dispute is resolved. Unite said workers were "living hand-to-mouth" as a result of persistent low pay and have called for an improved offer. GMB has not announced any further strike dates as of yet.
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As with the case with previous strikes, the strikes will not impact on life-threatening 999 calls which include cardiac arrests, while patients who need critical treatment such as cancer care will also be transported. Category two calls - which are considered to be less urgent and include some strokes and major burns - may experience longer waiting times than usual.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, said: "The Welsh government needs to do the right thing, get round the table and resolve this dispute as matter of urgency. Until that happens the strikes will continue and Unite will continue to support its Welsh Ambulance members to the hilt.”
Richard Munn Unite Wales Regional Officer said: “The Welsh government needs to recognise the strength of feeling among our members. They are angry and determined to get a deal that prevents further pay erosion."
“At the moment there is no end in sight for this dispute, unless a deal can be reached it has the potential to dominate the upcoming Welsh Labour conference in March.”
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