The region’s ambulance staff are set to strike later this month.
Members of the GMB union voted for action after rejecting a five per cent pay offer.
They’ll strike from 6am on Monday, November 28, for 24 hours.
And ambulance staff members who are in the Unite union will begin work to rule from November 25.
GMB Scotland organiser, Karen Leonard, said: “Staff in the Scottish Ambulance Service have worked throughout the depths of the pandemic on the frontline of our public services, all the while dealing with an understaffing crisis and now a cost-of-living crisis this winter.
“These strikes are a direct response to the Scottish Government who have failed to give key, frontline workers the pay rise that they deserve and who have overseen years of managed decline in the health services that so many rely on. Staff are rightly angry with how they’re being treated.
“They have been overlooked, overworked, undervalued and underpaid. The workforce is being expected to fill more and more gaps in service provision.”
Ms Leonard put the blame for the strike on Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, claiming he had “done nothing” to avert the walkout and had failed to come back with the “significantly improved offer he promised”.
Mr Yousaf said he was disappointed that 89 per cent of ambulance workers had voted for action and added: “I have always stressed that dialogue is essential and I am committed to ongoing discussions to avoid strikes. We await the conclusion of all staffside consultations, expected early next week.
“Pay negotiations take place collectively through the Scottish Terms and Conditions Committee and it is right and proper that they continue to do so. I have contacted trade unions this week to reaffirm my commitment to ongoing discussions and dialogue.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing have also voted for action after rejecting a pay deal, however a strike date has yet to be set.
