Army could be called in as 999 crews back strike

First ambulance walkout in 30 years looms

SCOTLAND’S ambulance crews are poised for their first national strike in 30 years, sparking concerns over patient safety.

Paramedics and technicians overwhelmingly backed the action in a consultative ballot.

The move could paralyse the health service and result in the Army being brought in to help.

If crunch talks pencilled in for early in the New Year fail to make a breakthrough, a damaging nationwide strike could follow within weeks.

The unions – which represent 3,500 ambulance staff – launched the ballot after talks with the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) broke down in a row over rest breaks.

The union Unison also confirmed plans for a statutory ballot which would give the legal mandate required for industrial action.

GMB Scotland organiser Karen Leonard said: ‘Members have sent a clear message to SAS management – enough is enough. We’ll defend our right to appropriate rest periods.

‘Their proposals will compromise the lives of patients and the lives of SAS staff. No credible trade union would leave this unchallenged but no credible employer should be trying to impose this either.

‘Our members hope that management will use the Christmas period to reflect on the fact that you cannot force this senseless policy on a workforce that, frankly, has nothing left to give after a decade of austerity. When we return to talks in the New Year, we expect management will want to properly consult with us about implementing a system that works for staff, service and the public. If they do that, then we can avoid the prospect of a damaging strike.’

Unions argue that staff are entitled to a 30-minute break between the fifth and seventh working hour of their shift.

They said crews would work without rest for up to six hours and continue to provide cover for the most urgent 999 calls. However, the unions said that management rejected this on the grounds of patient safety.

One union source close to the discussions said: ‘We’re trying to work with a degree of partnership to resolve this. We are looking to get a remedy.’

However, without progress, industrial action could follow within weeks – either a strike or work to rule. It is likely that, even in the event of a strike, crews would provide cover for seriously ill patients but any such agreement would have to be thrashed out between unions and management.

GMB members voted 82 per cent in favour of a strike, while 95 per cent backed action short of a strike. Unite voted 75 per cent and 93 per cent while Unison members voted 74 per cent and 92 per cent.

Unison regional organiser David O’Connor said: ‘Our local branch has now requested a formal industrial action ballot so they’re looking to run that as soon as they can. A strike will be the last resort. We will look to continue to engage with the employer but the members feel quite strongly.’

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: ‘We would encourage further discussions so that we can explore a range of options for reaching a constructive solution.’

Unite, which declined to comment, represents around 1,400 of the 4,500-strong ambulance workforce. The GMB has more than 1,000 SAS members and Unison has about 1,000.