Yorkshire ambulance workers to strike
AMBULANCE workers have voted to hold a one-day strike in a dispute over patient safety and the de-recognition of their union Unite.
Unite has revealed this afternoon (Monday) that its 450 paramedics and other ambulance staff working at Yorkshire Ambulance Service have voted overwhelmingly to institute a continuous overtime ban from Tuesday, March 26, and strike for one day on Tuesday, April 2.
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Dispute: An ambulance at Hull Royal Infirmary.
The union says it had twice attempted to discuss the implications of industrial action and also asked for the dispute to be referred to the conciliation service Acas - but the management at the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust declined.
Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said: "Unite calls for the management to open constructive negotiations in the run-up to April 2.
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"This is a final window of opportunity for the trust to resolve this situation for the benefit of the Yorkshire public.
"The management has been trying to silence Unite after it raised legitimate concerns over patient safety that could flow from the shake-up of ambulance services in the next five years.
"Now our members have voted for strike action and a continuous overtime ban.
"It shows the depth of concern that our members feel about patient safety because of the £46m of saving that managers want to implement.
"The hardline management has responded by derecognising Unite and twice rejecting our attempts to take this dispute to Acas and to discuss the implications of industrial action."
Unite has been angered by the introduction of the new emergency care assistants (ECAs) roles. They say ECAs only receive six weeks training, compared to a paramedic's two year degree course.
Unite claims this means underqualified staff are tending to emergencies, putting patient safety at risk.
Earlier this year, Yorkshire Ambulance Service announced it would de-recognise the union.
7 Comments
by AlphaGolf
Thursday, March 21 2013, 11:03AM
“Please remember that what will happen is that the trust will eventually start sending double ECA crews to your doors, thus hood winking you into thinking that you are receiving Paramedical care when you are receiving far less, this is happening up and down the country and it will place your loved ones, neighbours and friends at risk. The Ambulance Service is not rated on its level of care but how quickly they get to you and the managers in all Ambulance Trusts care not for patients but for the response times that will be judged upon. Unite and all unions have raised these issues regarding patient safety and all has fallen on deaf ears, staff are protecting patient saftey with a last ditched attempt ironically with strike action, but what else is there to do? Communities need to start asking more in depth questions of Ambulance Services and the way they provide this vital services and making senior managers justify their decisions openly and honestly because once communities start digging they will need more than an Ambulance once they get the answers.”
by Astran
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:06AM
“I dont get it. They are striking to keep services running properly. And why shouldnt they be allowed to have a recognised union,and the right to strike?All those who moan probably don't have that luxury of a union.I have personal experience of being in a union ,and think they can be corrupt, but ,THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO BE IN ONE.”
by red_karen
Monday, March 18 2013, 9:15PM
“Sorry RamonaFlowers, struggling to see where Len McCluskey's input is in this dispute, can you quote me the bit in the article where it is him asking the workers to go on strike? Oops, there isn't a quote, does that mean you haven't got the rest of your facts right too, such as the fact that it is the risk to patients lives that is causing them to strike in the first place!”
by PatrickNewman
Monday, March 18 2013, 4:19PM
“Yorkshire ambulance service should justify this highly provocative action.”
by RomonaFlowers
Monday, March 18 2013, 4:19PM
“Len McClusky is a moron. Only last year he was wanting to disrupt the Olympics and make the whole country look stupid.
Now he wants the ambulance workers to go on strike and risk people's lives.
He doesn't care how long the ambulance workers strike because while they are striking earning no money he is still receiving his £100,000 plus salary.
Why the hard working man in the street listens to these union leaders is a mystery.”
by RaginBull1975
Monday, March 18 2013, 3:37PM
“Shouldnt be allowed”
by kwright
Monday, March 18 2013, 3:00PM
“unite talk rubbish ,”