Ambulance workers across the UK are due to go on strike in the run-up to Christmas, likely causing a blow to services.
Members of the GMB, Unison, and Unite unions will stage a strike in England on Wednesday, December 21 over a dispute with pay. It comes after a separate dispute in Scotland between ambulance workers and some NHS workers were settled by Unison and Unite members.
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea confirmed Wednesday's strike will go ahead following claims there has been no "firm commitment" on pay. Concerns have been raised over what emergencies will be covered by ambulances on the strike day.
Read more: The strikes this week, when they are taking place and how they will affect you
Why is the strike taking place?
Union members voted in favour of going on strike following a dispute over pay rises in the face of the cost of living crisis. The strike will be coordinated by Unison, GMB, and Unite.
Another strike will take place on December 28, but will only include those in the GMB union - roughly half of the total number of ambulance staff. Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: “After twelve years of Conservative cuts to the service and their pay packets, NHS staff have had enough.
“The last thing they want to do is take strike action, but the government has left them with no choice. Steve Barclay needs to listen and engage with us about pay.
"If he can’t talk to us about this most basic workforce issue, what on earth is he Health Secretary for? The government could stop this strike in a heartbeat – but they need to wake up and start negotiating on pay.”
Despite this, Downing Street claims that it is not too late for unions to call of the strikes and engage in talks. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We would expect, given this late stage, there to be some sort of disruption either way but it is still in the gift of the unions to step back and reconsider their approach.
“We are open to further talks if they are willing to have them. We believe we have taken a fair and reasonable approach throughout, including by accepting the pay body’s recommendation in full.
How ambulance services may be impacted
Health secretary Steve Barclay claimed there has been a lack of clarity over what services will be offered and insisted that union must "meet their obligations". Due to trade union laws, life-preserving care must be provided during strikes by health workers.
He informed members of the public that if they need to call an ambulance on Wednesday, they should do but must be prepared for "impacts on patients". When asked whether ambulances would be available to an elderly person who fell and broke their hip, Mr Barclay said: "The advice is if there is a need to call an ambulance people should continue to do so.
“And of course GPs continue to be open and where people have an appointment, they should continue to attend those unless they were advised not to do so. So people should continue to call 999 where they need an ambulance . But there will be impacts on patients as a result of the strike action.
“And that’s why I’m calling on the trade unions to make good on their statements that they will protect those with life-threatening conditions and emergency responses, ensure we have the cover on Wednesday to respond to those calls.
“That’s what they’ve said publicly. But if, for example, they only allow staff to respond from the picket line that will add further delay to the response times, which is not in the patient’s interest.”
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