War of words between unions and ambulance chiefs as paramedic strike intensifies

GMB members at North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) are again staging a 26 hour strike today and tomorrow over a long-running pay dispute, dating back 13 years.

Ambulance staff across the north west will be on strike until 8am tomorrow.

NWAS paramedics have already staged six strikes in recent weeks after a ballot of members saw more than 84 per cent of those who responded vote for strike action.

A meeting last week to discuss the pay dispute did not take place.

Mike Buoey, GMB organiser, said: “I don’t think NWAS senior management team recognise the seriousness of this dispute or their actions as demand on the service intensifies this weekend.

““In prolonging such industrial action they are potentially placing the public of the North West at great risk of harm.”