Ambulance strikes will resume next week and there is no sign of an end to the longstanding dispute over wages, patient safety and staffing.
They join railroad workers, teachers and doctors who went on strike in March as unions sought better terms for their members amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming ambulance strikes and how they will impact services.
When are the next ambulance strikes?
Ambulance workers, represented by GMB and Unite, will take to the streets Monday, March 6 AND Monday, March 20.
The GMB campaign involves paramedics, ambulance assistants and on-call attendants in seven of England’s 10 ambulance services, as well as the National Service for Wales. The following services are affected:
- Southwest Ambulance Service
- Southeast Coast Ambulance Service
- Ambulance Service North West
- South Central Ambulance Service
- Ambulance North East
- East Midlands Ambulance Service
- Welsh Ambulance Service
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Unite’s action covers workers in the North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands and Wales.
Not all employees strike at the same time. In accordance with union law, emergency care will continue to be provided and workers may leave picket lines to attend.
Unison announced that the paramedics she represents are leaving Wednesday, March 8along with blood collectors, health workers, cleaners and porters, and a minority of unionized nurses.
Ambulance workers in the South Central, East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands regions voted to strike in February. They are joined by emergency workers in London, Yorkshire, the North East, the North West and the South West, who have previously taken action four times.
Why are doctors on strike?
Ambulance workers are on strike over wages, patient safety and staffing.
Unions say patient safety on the NHS is already under threat every day because the government is not investing in enough staff to keep up with growing demand.
This was stated in an interview with the BBC by Unite Secretary General Sharon Graham. think politically Podcast about paramedics ‘fighting for the NHS’
“If they don’t solve the wage crisis, they can’t solve the labor crisis, which means the NHS is on its knees,” she said.
GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison said: “GMB ambulance crews are furious. They say they are ready. Our message to the government is clear: speak now, pay now.
“Ministers made matters worse by demonizing the paramedics who covered life and health during strike days by playing political games with their scare tactics.
“The only way to resolve this dispute is to offer reasonable wages.”
The government has previously said union wage demands are unavailable.
When is the youth strike?
Young doctors have become the latest NHS workers to go on strike, with the British Medical Association (BMA) confirming that the strike has gone on for 72 hours straight. Monday, March 13 and ends in the morning Thursday, March 16.
Up to 47,600 junior doctors will leave hospitals without emergency care after overwhelming support for union action. This marks a sharp escalation in the battle between NHS workers and the government over pay increases.
The strike resulted in a complete shutdown of work, including night shifts, consignment shifts and non-resident work.
In a small action, trainee doctors, represented by an association of hospital consultants and specialists, also voted to strike.
According to the union, 397 out of 531 eligible voters took part in the voting. Wednesday, March 15this means it will coincide with the BMA strike.
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.