Almost 1,500 ambulance workers in Wales are taking part in industrial action again today, Wednesday, January 11, in a dispute over pay and working conditions. Staff who are part of the GMB union have walked out for the second time, after the first strike in December.
Further strikes by ambulance workers part of a different union, Unite, is also planned for later in January with around another 1,000 members affected. These will be two 24-hour strikes and are planned for January 19 and 23. You can read more about these here.
The strike is expected to have a significant impact on services with Welsh Ambulance Service warning that only life-threatening calls for ambulances are likely to get a response on Wednesday. People are being advised to only call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured and there is a risk to life with calls also expected to see major delays and wait times.
Read more: Union announces more Welsh Ambulance Service strike dates for January
In some cases staff will be asking patients to make their own way to hospital. Staff will still respond to life-threatening calls, however, the service will be seriously disrupted.
GMB Union members are striking in protest against the Welsh Government's pay offer of a £1,400 pay increase to most NHS staff - equivalent to a 7.5% increase for lower-paid staff in Bands 1 to 4 and a 4% increase in Bands 6-7.
Some employees say this is not enough when compared to the current inflation rate of around 10.6% but no further offers have been put on the table. The Welsh Government claims it cannot address the pay issue without extra help from the UK government.
The union says that to end this dispute, GMB needs a concrete offer to help resolve the NHS’s "crushing recruitment and retention crisis". Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said: "Ambulance workers across England and Wales will go on strike for the second time today.
“GMB cancelled a planned strike over the Christmas period to say thank you to the public for their incredible support. It also allowed time for the Government to talk to us about pay, but Ministers have dithered and postured, wasting valuable time.
"To end this dispute, GMB needs a concrete offer to help resolve the NHS’s crushing recruitment and retention crisis. The public expects the Government to treat this dispute seriously – it's time they got on with it.”
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Union announces more Welsh Ambulance Service strike dates for January
