Ambulance workers to hold two more strikes

The union Unite, which has 
375 members working for 
Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said it will hold two five-hour strikes on Friday and Monday over the introduction of shift patterns which it says could mean staff working 10 hours without a meal break.

The strikes will be held between 3pm and 8pm on both days.

Unite has already called for an independent inquiry by the Care Quality Commission into plans to make multi-million pound savings.

It claims colleagues who are members of Unison had also said they had “no confidence” in trust management.

Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said: “We take heart that Unison members have now rejected the trust’s proposals by a 70 per cent to 30 per cent majority. We hope to work with our Unison colleagues to bring about a successful resolution to this dispute.

“We do understand that there will be public concern about the latest strike action.”

He said the action was a last resort after Unite members had raised their concerns about patient safety.

Previously bosses at Yorkshire Ambulance Service have said 
that industrial action was not in the best interests of patients and steps would be taken during the strike periods to maintain safe services.