South East Ambulance Staff balloted for industrial action

Three ambulance trusts across the south coast are facing a strike vote as GMB Union launches a formal industrial action ballot on behalf of their 3500 members across the trusts.

Ballot dates for South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB), South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and South Western Ambulance Service (SWAST) will be announced in the coming days.

The vote comes following a consultative ballot which saw over 90% of GMB members decide in favour of a walk out over poverty pay.

These workers are angry over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award which leaves them facing yet another massive real terms pay cut.

GMB Union has now announced formal strike ballots in all ten ambulance trusts in England.

Lib Whitfield, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

“The service being provided by ambulance trusts across the country has been chronically underfunded and staff have for too long been at breaking point with no sign of anything changing.

“Recent CQC reports have been less than complimentary to the management of these services and it is only thanks to the goodwill of the overworked and undervalued crews that the service continues to be as responsive as it is.

“GMB members are at breaking point and another year of not being able to pay their bills is a step too far for many.”

Source: GMB Press Office