Paramedic and NHS staff don’t want to strike - but fear patients will die if the staffing crisis carries on, unions say.
Unison chief Christina McAnea says members have been “forced to take this desperate measure because the government has let the NHS get into such a dire state”.
Cabinet Office Minister Oliver Dowden will lead an emergency COBRA meeting today ahead of a massive wave of strike action from nurses, paramedics, rail staff, driving instructors, posties and Border Force officials.
Another COBRA meeting is due to be held on Wednesday. The army is being prepped to step in at borders and to drive ambulances to minimise the disruption.
Ms McAnea is urging the Government to work to end disputes instead of “upping the ante with talk of COBRA and the army”.
Writing in the Mirror, she warns: “If NHS employees don’t take a stand over pay and staffing, more patients will die waiting for emergency care. Each day, the situation becomes more dangerous.”
Nurses are due to take part in walkouts in England and Wales on Thursday and next Tuesday, with ambulance workers joining action next week.
The Royal College of Nursing and Unison say they will suspend strikes if ministers are prepared to talk about pay, but the Government yesterday rejected the offer. Labour ’s Wes Streeting accused ministers of “spoiling for a fight” over NHS strikes this winter.
“It is completely unreasonable for the Government not to want to negotiate,” he told Sky News.
RCN leader Pat Cullen suggested yesterday that nurses would be flexible on their demand for a 5% pay hike above inflation - with RPI inflation surging above 12%.
She said: “My door is open.”
The Government has offered a pay award of a 4% rise on average.
It has rebuffed attempts at talks claiming wage hikes should be determined by the independent pay review body.
We don't want to strike says Unison general secretary
NO ambulance worker wants to strike. They’re being forced to take this desperate measure because the Government’s let the NHS get into such a dire state.
If NHS staff don’t take a stand over pay and staffing, more patients will die waiting for emergency care.
Each day, the situation becomes more dangerous. Low pay across the NHS is fuelling a growing staffing crisis.
Ambulances are queuing outside A&E departments for hours and hours on end leaving crews unable to respond to other 999 calls. Better pay isn’t the only solution but a fair wage could persuade staff to stay and others to join. A solution to the dispute is possible.
In Scotland, talking to unions rather than demonising them has led to improved offers of pay and strikes being paused. Instead of upping the ante with talk of COBRA and the army, MPs need to show they value NHS staff by investing in them. That starts with holding pay talks.
CHRISTINA McANEA - UNISON General Secretary
