Ambulance strikes off after cash put on table

NEXT weeks planned ambulance strikes have been suspended after the Government agreed to discuss pay for this year, unions said.

Tens of thousands of key workers were due to walk out on Monday and Wednesday, but GMB and Unison deferred the action after ministers said money would be made available to cover pay rises this year and next.

Rachel Harrison, GMB’S national secretary, said the announcement marked a “huge shift” in the Government’s position. She said: “GMB ambulance workers announced a tightening of the derogations for cover on strike days. Less than 24 hours later we received a letter… inviting us and other unions to pay talks.

“This is a huge shift from the Government, who for months have refused to consider negotiations on pay.”