South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) say they are angry over a 4% pay rise which they say represents a real-terms pay cut. In an initial consultative ballot, more than 90% of GMB members decided in favour of a walkout. South Central Ambulance services cover a huge area including Berkshire see map below. Strike action would be very impactive for everyone however there is a lot of anger among the staff who are represented by the GMB Union who announced formal strike ballots in ten ambulance trusts in England.
Lib Whitfield, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“The service being provided by ambulance trusts across the country has been chronically underfunded and staff have for too long been at breaking point with no sign of anything changing.
“Recent CQC reports have been less than complimentary to the management of these services and it is only thanks to the goodwill of the overworked and undervalued crews that the service continues to be as responsive as it is.
“GMB members are at breaking point and another year of not being able to pay their bills is a step too far for many.”
Ballot dates will be announced in the coming days. Members say they are at ‘breaking point’ over another year of not being able to pay their bills
