Ambulance workers should not be worrying about having to choose between eating or heating this winter
North East Ambulance Service faces a strike vote as GMB Union launches a formal industrial action ballot.
Ballot dates will be announced in the coming days.
The vote comes following a consultative ballot which saw almost 90 per cent of NEAS members vote in favour of a walk out.
GMB has almost 750 NEAS Paramedics and ambulance workers, who are angry over the Government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award, which leaves them facing yet another massive real terms pay cut.
GMB has also announced a formal strike ballot among almost 1,5000 members at Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
Michael Hunt, GMB Organiser, said:
“Ambulance workers should not be worrying about having to choose between eating or heating this winter whilst providing a crucial public service across our communities.
“North East Ambulance Service is in disarray; it can only keep going thanks to the good will of the overworked and undervalued crews.
“But good will only goes so far.
“GMB members have a clear message for the Government and the employer: ‘we are worth more, we deserve more, we are willing to make a stand and we want a ballot for strike action’.
“We will stand shoulder to shoulder with our members and fight for the above inflation pay rise that our NHS workers deserve.”
