Third paramedic strike today

A further day of industrial action by GMB paramedics is taking place today

A further day of industrial action by GMB paramedics takes place today (Wednesday) - the third day of action following the strikes last week.

The North West Ambulance Service has been informed that paramedics who are members of the GMB Union, and have been prior to August 2016, will take action at the start of their shift, for six hours, if their shift starts between 6am and 12 noon.

The number of GMB paramedics that are rostered on shift during that time and are therefore eligible to take action is small, however, and previous days of action have only seen few members withdraw their services, with none at all striking in Greater Manchester last week.

Paramedics who are not members of GMB will be working as normal.

Michael Forrest, Interim Chief Executive for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), said: “The trust is extremely disappointed with the actions proposed by GMB and believes it has worked closely with them to try and work through the issues which formed the basis of the ballot.

"Agreement has now been reached with our other partner trade unions UNISON and Unite on an agreed way forward and we have again asked GMB representatives to be part of the process going forward,

"However, the GMB Leadership continue to refuse our requests to put our up-dated position back to its membership.

“As with previous days of action we will do all we can to minimise any impact on the public and it is fair to say that the action so far has had little impact on our ability to respond to patients.

"However,  these strikes do have the potential to cause some delays, particularly to the less urgent calls so while we have robust plans to ensure as much cover as possible, we ask the public to help us by only calling 999 for an ambulance 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.”

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