Paramedics across the north west are going on strike today - and more could follow suit soon

Paramedics across Lancashire are today (Monday, June 18) going on strike '“ with further industrial action on the horizon.
Ambulances lined up.Ambulances lined up.
Ambulances lined up.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) paramedics that are members of the GMB union are staging a two hour walk out.

It comes after more than 84 per cent of members voted for strike action in relation to a long-running pay dispute and GMB’s calls for an external evaluation of pay was refused by NWAS.

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Mike Buoey from GMB said: “GMB’s north west paramedics are taking this step reluctantly as a last resort – but they’ve been backed into a corner.

Ambulance outside an A&E department (Photo: PA).Ambulance outside an A&E department (Photo: PA).
Ambulance outside an A&E department (Photo: PA).

“NWAS asked what they wanted. We told them; an independent investigation into what has happened during the past 13 years and an external evaluation of the job role. They flatly refused.”

Unite the union, of which a significant number of NWAS paramedics are members of, are also holding an indicative ballot to see whether paramedics would be prepared to vote in favour of strike action.

Neil Cosgrove, NWAS paramedic and branch secretary of Unite, said: “This has been going on for 14 years now. Enough is enough.

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“We will get the results [of the indicative ballot] on Friday. Then we will approach management with concerns and if they don’t go on board the next step could be a formal ballot.

“Meetings are taking place and are hoping a resolution will be taken before industrial action takes place.”

Michael Forrest, Deputy Chief Executive for NWAS, said: “The trust is extremely disappointed with the actions proposed by GMB and believes it has worked closely with them to try and work through the issues which formed the basis of the ballot.

“We have been made aware that the strike action is proposed to take place today (Monday 18 June). It will only affect paramedics who are part of the GMB Union and have been since August 2016. Those striking will do so at the start of their shift, for two hours, if their shift starts between 0600 and 1200.

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“We are unable to say how many staff will be taking action but we do know that there are 135 GMB paramedics rostered to start their shift during this time period on 18 June.”

Mr Forrest added: “Discussions are still on-going to resolve the matter with our other trade union partners UNITE and UNISON and GMB have been invited to meetings where we are seeking to resolve the matter to both parties satisfaction.

“Plans are being put in place to manage our workforce level and if the proposed action does go ahead, our priority will be to minimise the impact on our patients across the North West.

“We will continue to make attempts to resolve these issues as quickly as possible and would like to assure the public that their safety is our primary concern.

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“As always, we ask the public to help us by only calling 999 for an ambulance for life-threatening or potentially life-threatening emergencies. For non-emergency health concerns, alternative care and advice can be found though local pharmacies, GP surgeries, walk-in centres or NHS111.”