Around 2,000 paramedics and ambulance workers could soon go on strike across Merseyside and the north west.
The GMB union has this morning confirmed that it is balloting North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) for potential walk-outs as it launches industrial action. Around 2,000 staff will be asked to vote, with dates for the vote announced in the coming days.
The union says its members are 'understaffed and overworked' and says their low pay is barely covering the essentials for them to get by.
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The move to ballot for strike action follows a consultative ballot which saw more than 95 per cent of GMB (NWAS) members vote in favour of a walk-out.
The union says paramedics and ambulance workers are angry over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award, which leaves them facing yet another massive real terms pay cut.
GMB has also announced a formal strike ballot among thousands of workers at members at Yorkshire, North East, West Midlands and East Midlands Ambulance Services.
Mike Buoey, GMB Organiser, said: “Ambulance workers are on the frontline saving lives. They shouldn’t have to come home to worries about making ends meet. The cost of living is rising – and even more steeply due to the Conservative Government’s economic mismanagement.
“Our ambulance service is understaffed and over worked. Their low pay barely covers the essentials. It just isn’t good enough.
The NWAS vote comes after the Royal College of Nursing began a ballot of its 300,000 members yesterday. The union is recommending that its members vote to walk out over pay issues. If strikes go ahead, the RCN says they would affect non-urgent but not emergency care.
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