All ambulance strikes called off for pay talks

AMBULANCE strikes in England will not go ahead this week after Unite became the final union to call them off.

Unite paused the strike action set for today and Wednesday to enter pay talks with the Government.

It comes after Unison and GMB unions suspended their strike action after what they called a “huge shift” in the Government’s position.

Unite is the smallest of the three ambulance unions, representing about 3,000 members. Gail Cartmail, its head of operations, said: “Following further assurances from the Government over the weekend, Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action.

“If the meeting doesn’t meet these assurances, strike action will resume.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “We’re pleased that [unions] have agreed to pause strikes and enter a process of intensive talks.”

Unite has also called off strikes in Wales today.