9,000 ambulance workers walk out in 'biggest NHS strike'

Almost 9,000 GMB Union ambulance workers across England will walk out in what could be the ‘biggest NHS strike’ on Monday [6 February 2023].

Paramedics, Emergency Care Assistants, call handlers and other staff will stage more than 100 pickets.

The industrial action coincides with strike action by nurses and many major pickets - including Brighton, Liverpool, Harrogate and Gateshead – will see ambulances workers line up next to their nursing colleagues.

Workers across the ambulance service voted to strike over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award and are furious over the Government’s apparent attempts to ‘smear’ them over life and limb cover on strike days.

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary, said:

"Ambulance workers across England will walk out today in what could be the biggest strike the NHS has ever seen.

“It’s been almost a month since the Government engaged in any meaningful dialogue – instead, they’ve wasted time attempting to smear ambulance workers.

“GMB members are fed up waiting, so they came to Parliament to speak to Steve Barclay. He was too busy to see them.

“The NHS is crumbling; people are dying and this Government is dithering.

"The public back ambulance workers. The Government needs to wake up and talk pay now.”