Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

WE have been informed of more days of strike action being taken by Ambulance workers within England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. These new states have been announced by the Unite Union to coincide with walkouts by staff from the GMB Union, in ongoing disputes.

Not all union member ambulance staff, including:- Paramedics, call handlers and support workers, will be striking at once, but waiting times will be increased. The Unions stress that patients with the most urgent clinical need will be given priority and also stress emergency cover will still be provided and staff can leave the picket lines to attend.

But we are told that this could mean less urgent calls, which are not immediately judged to be life threatening, like Category 2, might have to wait longer than usual for an Ambulance, but they would still respond to strokes and heart attacks. Yet urgent problems that fit into Category 3; such as a woman in late the stage of labour, might not be prioritised.

The announcement of the news dates means ambulance trust workers will now be striking on:-

► Monday, 23 January 2023 - GMB in the West Midlands, will join Unite and Unison Ambulance Workers with stike action.

► Tuesday, 24 January 2023 - GMB in the North West will see its Ambulance Workers on stike.

► Thursday, 26 January 2023 - Unite within Northern Ireland will hold strike action.

► Monday, 6 February 2023 - Unite, plus:- GMB Ambulance Workers and Nurses, within:- North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands and Wales).

► Thursday, 16 February 2023 - Unite, plus GMB workers will stike in Northern Ireland.

► Friday, 17 February 2023 - Unite in:- West Midlands and Northern Ireland will be on strike.

► Monday, 20 February 2023 - Unite and GMB workers within:- East Midlands, North East ,and Wales will be on strike.

► Wednesday, 22 February 2023 - Unite within the North West of England will be on strike.

► Thursday, 23 February 2023 - Unite within in Northern Ireland will be striking.

► Friday, 24 February 2023 - Unite within Northern Ireland will be striking.

► Monday, 6 March 2023 - Unite plus GMB workers will be sticking in the following areas:- North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands, and Wales/

► Monday, 20 March 2023 - Unite along the side of GMB workers will be striking in the following areas:- North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands, and Wales.

Unions are also stressing that this is not just about Pay and are "continuing to have constructive discussions" with the UK Government ministers to try to resolve the issues they are being "forced" to stike over, including:- waiting times for patients and other safety issues.

What are your thoughts on this? Please let our Newsroom know by emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.