Union calls off tomorrow’s nationwide ambulance worker strikes to enter pay talks with the Government
The Unite union has called off nationwide ambulance worker strikes planned for tomorrow to enter pay talks with the Government.
Thousands of NHS workers across England had been due to stage walkouts on Monday and Wednesday in an ongoing dispute over pay.
But Unite union members at at ambulance trusts in the West Midlands, North West, South Central, South Coastal, and East Midlands announced this afternoon they are pausing their industrial action for pay talks to take place this week.
Unite head of operations Gail Cartmail said: ‘Following further assurances from the Government over the weekend, Unite has in good faith agreed to pause the strike action.
‘If the meeting doesn’t meet these assurances strike action will resume.’
Unite the Union General Secretary Sharon Graham joins striking health care workers on the picket line outside Cardiff Ambulance Station last month
It would have marked the first time that Unite members in South Central and South Coastal had taken industrial action.
Members in Yorkshire, who are also planning to strike for the first time, were due to take industrial action on Wednesday.
It comes after members of the Unite union called off strikes in Wales planned for tomorrow due to pay talks continuing with the Welsh Government.
Up to 45,000 ambulance staff were due to return to the picket lines in England next week as part of the pay dispute.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.