Life and limb and cancer cover agreed by 1000-strong workforce

Sunak continues to be ‘missing in action’ as Unite says he’s out of his depth

Around 1,000 Unite members working for the West Midlands Ambulance Service will stage strike action this Friday (17 February) from 0600 hrs to 1800 hrs. 

The walkout is the latest in a series of strikes over pay and unsafe staffing by NHS workers across the country. 

Ahead of the strikes, Unite has again hit out at the prime minister for failing to get into the room to address the chronic low pay and unsustainable workloads that are driving a recruitment and retention crisis and devastating the NHS.

Last week, Unite announced that three more NHS ambulance trusts voted to join the dispute with strike action due to stretch into March.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The strike across the ambulance service is growing but instead of getting into the room to resolve the dispute, this government is doing absolutely nothing. 

“Rishi Sunak remains missing in action, refusing to talk to resolve this dispute. He is either in over his head or he has a more sinister motive. 

“It is being left to Unite’s NHS members to do everything in their power to protect patients from this irresponsible government and to save our health service. They have the full backing of their union in this cause.”

As with previous strikes, Unite’s West Midlands NHS representatives have agreed derogations to ensure that emergency life and limb cover will be in place during the strike. 

Other derogations will ensure that patients needing life-saving treatment, such as renal care and cancer treatment, will be transported to their appointments.

Unite regional officer Su Lowe said: “NHS workers are striking because they know without a proper pay rise, more staff will leave the health service. This will turn the current crisis in patient care into a disaster.”

ENDS 

For media enquires ONLY contact Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215.

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion

Web: unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.