Ambulance workers have rejected the Welsh Government's new pay offer and are set to keep striking. Ambulance workers who are members of the union Unite have overwhelmingly rejected the most recent pay offer.
The union said that in a ballot of Unite members on the current offer, 92% of those who voted rejected the pay offer with a 70% turnout. This means that strikes planned for February 20, 21 and 22 are set to go ahead.
The Welsh Government offered a pay increase of 1.5% and a one-off payment equivalent to a further 1.5% of salary. Health minister Elunedd Morgan said it was their final pay offer. You can read about the full details of the pay offer here.
Read more: Plaid Cymru wants to raise tax for everyone in Wales to fund NHS pay rises
Unite has called for further talks to resolve the dispute. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Welsh government has a clear opportunity to stop the upcoming strikes. Instead of the political posturing it has engaged in, now is the time to get round the table and improve the offer. Unite members have spoken - the current offer is not acceptable. These workers are living hand-to-mouth. Act now before the strikes escalate further.”
Unite’s lead NHS officer Richard Munn said: “The Welsh government has promoted the importance of social partnership – the relationship between the unions, employers and government. This social partnership is now being put to the test and talks are needed to try to resolve the dispute.”
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