Ambulance workers have announced plans for two further strike days next month in an ongoing dispute over pay and staffing.
Members of Unison, including in the North East, will strike in the New Year on Wednesday, January 11 and Monday, January 23, following industrial action from three unions on Wednesday, December 21 and a further planned walkout on Wednesday, December 28. The strikes set to take place in January will run from midnight to midnight and involve all ambulance employees, not just the 999 response crews.
Unison said that the new strikes were a direct result of the Government's "repeated refusal" to negotiate NHS pay rises this year. Health Secretary Steve Barclay sparked outrage from NHS staff on Wednesday after accusing the unions of taking a "conscious decision" to harm patients.