Mass Ambulance Strike to Hit NHS Services Across England
Ambulance workers are set to strike on Tuesday 2 May, throwing emergency services into chaos. The walkout targets South Central, South East Coast, and West Midlands Ambulance Trusts, along with The Christie cancer service in Manchester and hospitals in Birmingham and Lancashire.
Strike to Clash with Nurse Walkouts
The ambulance strike will coincide with nurses striking across parts of England from 30 April to 2 May. Thousands of nurses in about half of NHS trusts are expected to join, hitting emergency departments, intensive care, and cancer services for the first time.
Union Boss Slams Pay Offer as “Not Good Enough”
Unite’s general secretary Sharon Graham slammed the government’s pay proposal as “not good enough.” She said the union had been clear that the offer falls short. The government called the decision “premature and unreasonable,” with some members still voting on the latest pay package.
The offer includes a 5% pay rise for 2023-24 and a one-off bonus of at least £1,655 to top up last year’s salary. It covers all NHS staff except doctors.
Thousands Expected to Join Walkouts
About 2,000 paramedics, call handlers, and other ambulance staff are expected to strike across two days in May. Meanwhile, thousands of nurses will hit the picket lines between 30 April and 2 May.
Unison, representing ambulance crews and some nurses, has accepted the offer. Unite members, however, can vote on the deal until 28 April.
A Department of Health spokesperson urged staff to back the pay deal, warning that further strikes would harm patients the most.
