Labor measures over the past year have resulted in disruptions to a number of services across the UK, from the rail network to the Royal Mail.
The NHS was also affected by nurses leaving for two days last week on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th January.
Ambulance workers also took action this month, with unions calling for more strikes in the coming weeks as the controversy rages – here’s all you need to know.
When is the ambulance on strike?
emergency workers in the face of Unison is gone Wednesday, January 11and about 15,000 will do it again Monday, January 23.
Services in London, Yorkshire, North West, North East and South West are affected.
The strike will last 24 hours from midnight, Unison said, and will involve all ambulance workers, not just the 999 first responders.
Unite ambulance workers will join the strike on Monday, as will GMB union workers in the West Midlands, while GMB workers in the North West will continue to strike. Tuesday, January 24.
On Monday, paramedics on strike will be joined by 5,000 of their NHS colleagues at two hospital foundations in Liverpool.
Porters, cleaners, nurses, midwives, medical workers, theater workers and other NHS workers from the Liverpool University Hospital Fund and City Heart and Chest Hospital will join the strike.
The ambulance staff, represented by Unite, will then go on strike. Thursday, January 26 in Northern Ireland.
on Monday, February 6Ambulance workers from Unite and GMB will take part in the biggest strike the NHS has ever seen and thousands of nurses are also taking action.
Later in February, Unite paramedics planned more local strikes:
- Thursday 16 February – Northern Ireland (with GMB members)
- Friday 17 February – West Midlands and Northern Ireland
- Monday 20 February – East Midlands, North West & Wales (with GMB members)
- February 22, Wednesday – Northwest
- Thursday 23 February — Northern Ireland
- February 24, Friday – Northern Ireland.
Further coordinated strikes are then held between the Unison and GMB ambulance crews. Monday, March 6 and Monday, March 20.
How will this affect NHS services?
The health minister said further strikes would “inevitably” lead to disruptions in the health care system, adding that the strike on Monday, January 23, was “extremely disappointing.”
Steve Barclay also stressed that he had “meaningful talks” with unions after a union leader accused the government of negotiating dishonestly.
Mr Barclay said: “It is extremely disappointing that some ambulance workers continue to strike. While we have contingency plans in place to mitigate risks to patient safety, further disruptions will inevitably occur.
“It is important that people continue to seek treatment – dial 999 for life-threatening emergencies and use the NHS 111 online service, local pharmacies and general practitioners for non-life-threatening care.
“I have had constructive discussions with unions about the pay process for 2023/24 next year and I want to continue the conversation about what is affordable and fair.”
Professor Sir Stephen Powys, Medical Director of the NHS, said: “As with other ambulance strikes, patients continue to be told that it is important to come forward and seek emergency care if necessary.
“This includes calling 999 for life-threatening emergencies and using 111 online for other health needs where you can get clinical advice on the best next steps.
“People should also continue to use local services such as pharmacies and clinics as usual, which are not affected by the strikes.”
The government is in talks with unions, but Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the key wage issue had not yet been discussed.
She said striking NHS workers should be offered a double-digit pay rise and described the government as willing to “talk about anything, but they won’t talk about wages”.
Hinting that a 10% pay rise would be considered by the unions, Ms Graham pushed for Labor to show “real leadership” by coming forward and saying she would bid if she left the ruling party.
Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to the hospital last week, Mr Barclay appeared to rule out a 10% raise for nurses, insisting it was “not available.”
However, Ms Graham accused the government of either being incompetent when it comes to negotiations or wanting to privatize the NHS.
On Sunday, she told Sky’s Sophie Ridge: “It’s not about the salary and that’s the problem. The big problem here is payment. There is a problem when paramedics, nurses and the NHS say we need a raise.
“Society supports these wage increases, as we see from the polls, and we have an employer, in this case the government, that will talk about everything but wages.”
Additional report from the Press Association
Source: I News
I’m Raymond Molina, a professional writer and journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. I currently work for 24 News Reporters, where I write for the health section of their news website. In my role, I am responsible for researching and writing stories on current health trends and issues. My articles are often seen as thought-provoking pieces that provide valuable insight into the state of society’s wellbeing.