Unite - Fresh NHS strikes in London and Yorkshire
- Tuesday 23 May 2023
The latest strikes form part of the union’s targeted approach to industrial action as it continues to put plans in place to further escalate the dispute and pressure the government to re-open pay negotiations.
New strikes
Unite members from across the Guy’s and St Thomas’ workforce, including nurses and other frontline workers, will stage a 24 hour strike beginning at 07:00 am on Thursday 1 June.
This will be followed by a strike by Unite members employed at the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust, including paramedics and call handlers. The workers will be striking on Friday 2 June for up to seven hours, with strike action occurring between 14:00hrs and 22:00hrs.
Returning to picket lines
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are returning to the picket lines in targeted industrial action to place further pressure on the government to re-open pay negotiations.
“The current pay deal does not address the fundamental problems undermining the NHS. Workers have suffered real terms pay cuts for over a decade and can no longer afford to make ends meet, resulting in experienced staff leaving the NHS in droves.”
Poor government offer
The union is calling on the government to re-open negotiations as the present deal is a further real terms pay cut for NHS workers, who are becoming more desperate due to a combination of soaring costs and low wages.
Crumbling NHS
Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab said: “Our members are entirely committed to their jobs but can no longer stand idly by as they watch the NHS crumble around them, which is placing patients in danger on a daily basis.”
ENDS
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.
Email: [email protected]
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.
