Ambulance workers Wales to stage two further strikes this month

A union has announced the dates that ambulance workers in Wales will stage two further strikes in a row over pay and conditions.

Unite, the union representing over 1000 members of the Welsh Ambulance Service, has said that two 24-hour strikes will take place on January 19 and January 23.

The strike action follows two ambulance worker strikes last month.

The decision follows a vote in which 88% of Unite members supported the strike action in response to a pay offer that falls far below inflation and has contributed to a staffing crisis within the Welsh NHS.

While the strikes will proceed, Unite has agreed to provide emergency cover for “life and limb” situations with the Trust.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will stand 100 percent behind our Welsh Ambulance members who are striking to save our NHS. They see first-hand every day how the NHS is collapsing. A decent pay increases is the only way to improve NHS recruitment and relieve the crippling pressure on ambulance services.

“The roots of this dispute may be in Westminster, but the Welsh Government needs to move to improve its pay offer if we are to avoid a prolonged dispute.

“This union stands ready for serious negotiations with governments in all nations, Wales included. We now urgently need action to address the NHS pay and staffing crisis.”

Unite Wales regional officer Richard Munn said: “The anger that has led to this strike is about more than just pay. Staff are exhausted and stressed and the meagre pay increase was the final straw for most.

“We know that the Welsh Government has limited finances but Unite is imploring them to come to the table with an increased offer, as was the case in Scotland.

“Unite recognises that the crisis has arisen because of the Westminster government’s deliberate failure to fund a decent NHS pay rise across the UK. While the UK government seems oblivious to the anger and frustration of NHS workers, the Welsh Government has shown that it does understand the issues. But now it needs to act.