North West Ambulance Service faces strike vote as the GMB launches industrial action ballot

Photo: North West Ambulance Service

North West Ambulance Service faces a strike vote

The North West Ambulance Service faces a strike vote as the GMB union launches a formal industrial action ballot.

Almost 2,000 NWAS paramedics and ambulance workers will be balloted; dates of vote will be announced in the coming days.

The move comes following a consultative ballot which saw more than 95 per cent of GMB NWAS members vote in favour of a walk out.

Paramedics and ambulance workers are angry over the government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award, which leaves them facing yet another massive real terms pay cut.

GMB has also announced a formal strike ballot among thousands of workers at members at Yorkshire, North East, West Midlands and East Midlands Ambulance Services.

Mike Buoey, GMB Organiser, said: “Ambulance workers are on the frontline saving lives. They shouldn’t have to come home to worries about making ends meet.

“The cost of living is rising – and even more steeply due to the Conservative government’s economic mismanagement.

“Our ambulance service is understaffed and over worked. Their low pay barely covers the essentials.

“It just isn’t good enough.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “This is the result of a national pay dispute and not one we can control.

“We recognise this is a difficult time across the country, including for our staff who work incredibly hard to support the people of the North West.

“We are keeping track of the situation and have plans to minimise any impact on patients should a future ballot result in industrial action.”