Fourth day of paramedic strike action beckons

The North West Ambulance Service's ongoing dispute with trade union GMB continues with a fourth day of action on Saturday (July 21).

The NWAS trust has been informed that the action will take the form of a full withdrawal of services by GMB paramedics for day shifts starting between 6am and 8am.

The staff eligible to take part must have been GMB members and paramedics prior to August, 2016. 

As with previous days of actions, the number of eligible staff is only a small proportion of frontline staff and the trust has only seen few members withdraw their services, with none at all striking in Greater Manchester during the last two days of action.

Paramedics who are not members of GMB and our emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will be working as normal.

However, due to extended period of action this time, this action is likely to mean delays in reaching some patients.

Lisa Ward, Interim Director of Organisational Development  for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), said: “The trust is extremely disappointed with this fourth day of action and is frustrated with the reluctance of GMB to discuss any movement from their current position.

"This is despite the positive discussions which have enabled us to reach an agreement on this matter with our other partner trade unions UNISON and Unite, who represent the majority of our staff.

“We have now also received formal notification that this action will occur every weekend from July 21 until October.

“I am in no doubt that their actions will affect patients, although we will be doing all we can to minimise any impact on the public.

"We have robust plans to ensure as much cover as possible throughout the region, but we urge the public to help us by only calling 999 for life-threatening or potentially life-threatening emergencies.

"For non-emergency health concerns, alternative care and advice can be found though local pharmacies, GP surgeries, walk-in centres or NHS111.”

A recent ballot of GMB members saw more than 84% of those who responded vote for strike action.

Mike Buoey, GMB Organiser, said: “Our members are desperate to get this situation resolved – they’ve been waiting a long time for their job to be re-evaluated for the years between 2005 to 2016.

“The last thing we want is ongoing industrial action, yet NWAS seem determined to let the situation continue.

“We’ve had just one meeting since the strikes started – most of the time we are forced to speak via email.

“We’ve asked a number of times to meet with the chair of the Trust, and we get ignored.

“This is not the way to solve a delicate dispute.

“After almost 13 years, our members are now saying enough is enough.”

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