Ambulance strikes that were due to take place across the country on Monday and Wednesday this week have been called off.
The Unite union has suspended the industrial action as talks commence with the government, the union has confirmed this afternoon (March 5). Ambulance workers have been striking since December over pay and conditions, saying that staffing levels are getting so low as people leave for higher wages and lower stress jobs that patients are being put at risk.
Unite head of operations Gail Cartmail said: “Following further assurances from the government over the weekend Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action. If the meeting doesn't meet these assurances strike action will resume.”
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The 'assurances' relate to a confirmation that any deal with the government will include new money, 'rather than placing further pressure on NHS budgets', a spokesperson for the union added. The union also said that it believes government discussions about “efficiencies” and “productivity savings” will not result in attacks on the conditions of NHS staff, as has previously been feared by those in the sector.
The strike action scheduled for tomorrow (6 March) and Wednesday (8 March) will now not go ahead. The decision from Unite follows that of the Unison and GMB unions, which have also suspended walkouts after what they dubbed a 'huge shift' in the government's position, the BBC has reported.
Unite represents around 3,000 ambulance workers. Tens of thousands of staff across the unions had been expected to strike on March 6 and 8 across the country.
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