Paramedic strike date not yet set

PARAMEDICS in the North West have voted in favour of industrial action after a longrunning pay dispute with the North West Ambulance Service.

GMB, the union for ambulance staff, confirmed the news on Friday.

GMB said: “NWAS has so far refused to budge – but now our members have voted to strike maybe they will get round the table with a genuine commitment to finding a solution.”

In the ballot, which closed on Thursday, 84% of those who voted were in favour of strike action.

GMB said they hope strike action can still be avoided and NWAS will get round the table to resolve this outstanding job evaluation issue.

A spokesperson said: “Paramedics working for North West Ambulance Service have waited patiently for the outcome of job re-evaluation going back more than 12 years.

“Now they have had enough.”

Mike Buoey, GMB organiser, said: “No one wants to take strike action and GMB’s North West paramedics will only do so as a last resort – and with a heavy heart.

“But they’ve come to the end of their tether waiting many years for their job to be reevaluated for the years between 2005 to 2016.

“NWAS has so far refused to budge – but now our members have voted to strike maybe they will get round the table with a genuine commitment to finding a solution.

“Hopefully, industrial action can still be avoided.”

A date for the proposed action is yet to be confirmed.