Hundreds of ambulance workers across the West Midlands went on strike again yesterday (2 May) following their ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of the Unite union in the West Midlands rejected the latest government pay offer by 75 per cent. Members of the GMB who were involved in strike action earlier in the year voted to accept the offer.

The pay deal included a 5 per cent increase in pay this year and a cash payment for last year. However Unite boss Sharon Graham said "it is quite frankly a joke that NHS workers are being forced to fight for a decent pay rise"

Unite members manned a picket line at WMAS's Stoke-on-Trent hub in Forge Lane, Etruria, on Tuesday where over a hundred ambulance staff were on strike. 

Members of the Unite union in the West Midlands rejected the latest government pay offer by 75% (West Midlands Ambulance Service).

Speaking on the picket line, ambulance technician Sally Carding said that the reason for the strike wasn't just about pay.

Sally, who has worked for the ambulance service for 24 years said: "The strike isn't just about pay, it is about conditions and staff retention. If we could improve conditions for the staff we'd keep the retention of those people.

"The current pay offer just doesn't match the current levels of inflation. This is about supporting people on lower pay bands.

"They are announcing the results at 2pm and that will involve a period of reflection for the union on whether to continue with the strikes. We are a member-led union and it is ultimately for the members to decide."

Unite rep and paramedic Lisa Darby says that the government doesn't want to hear about alternative solutions and the public still seem to be behind the strike action.

The paramedic said: "There was talk about reducing the retirement age and I think many members would have supported that but the government doesn't want to listen.

"I've not had a patient yet who's criticised us for the strikes, they seem to be in full support of it."

Ambulance workers said the reason for the strike was pay, conditions and staff retention (West Midlands Ambulance Service).

Striking Staff are also responding to 'life and limb' calls from the picket line, with many responding to calls throughout the morning.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has describe the latest pay offer, which includes a cash payment worth at least £1665, as the "best and final offer"

Despite the ongoing strike action, today the government has met with 14 NHS unions, including Unite, to formally back the government pay offer. This means ministers will implement the pay rise to all NHS workers even if their union didn't vote for it.

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