Ambulance workers should not be worrying about having to choose between eating or heating this winter, says GMB Union 

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’. 

“GMB Union will stand shoulder to shoulder with our members and fight for the above inflation pay rise that our NHS workers deserve.”