In advance of a week of strikes in the NHS, the head of a health union has accused the government of “absolute intransigence” on pay for ambulance staff.
Without a “very solid promise” on salary, Christina McAnea, general secretary of Unison, stated that Wednesday’s ambulance strike would proceed.
On Tuesday, a second nurses’ strike is expected to begin, resulting in the rescheduling of thousands of appointments and surgeries.
The secretary of health stated that unions must provide “adequate” emergency coverage.
During strikes, health professionals are required by labor regulations to provide life-saving care.
Steve Barclay, however, stated that there was a lack of clarity over what was being offered during the ambulance strike and that it was the unions’ responsibility to “meet their obligations” for emergency coverage.
During an earlier visit to King’s College Hospital in south London, Mr. Barclay was approached by the mother of a child with cystic fibrosis who expressed concern for the future of her daughter, Lucy.
“The damage you are causing to families like mine is horrendous,” she added, detailing the difficulty in scheduling a bronchoscopy appointment for her three-year-old son.
Mr. Barclay argues that this is “unaffordable” in response to a request by unions representing NHS employees for pay increases above inflation.
The governments of England and Wales have awarded their employees an average raise of 4.75 percent, with a minimum increase of £1,400.
Mr. Barclay said unions should accept the independence of the NHS pay review board that presented the current offer.
Unison, GMB, and Unite, the three largest ambulance unions in England and Wales, will take action on Wednesday.
It will affect non-emergency calls, so folks who trip, fall, or have other injuries may not obtain treatment.
Members of the Royal College of Nursing are organizing nurses’ strike action (RCN).
Thursday’s strike was the largest in its history. In England, approximately 10,000 staff members were absent and close to 16,000 appointments, treatments, and surgeries had to be postponed.
There has been no movement in the past few days that could prevent strikes in the NHS this week.
The secretary of health has expressed a desire for more dialogue with labor unions.
However, he wishes to discuss conditions and patient safety. They want to discuss wages and assert that the conflict cannot be resolved without a better offer on the table.
It appears both sides are digging in their heels. The unions accuse ministers of stubbornness, while ministers respond that pay demands are unaffordable.
A small number of Conservative MPs believe the government should reconsider NHS pay. Others, though, urge ministers to remain steadfast.
Thus, it is currently difficult to foresee a solution. It appears that neither side will blink in the next few days.
The decision to proceed with this week’s ambulance strike was not made lightly, according to Ms. McAnea.
She stated that the administration had “resolutely refused” to engage in a “serious dialogue” about overcompensation.
Sharon Graham, the leader of Unite, whose union is coordinating the ambulance strikes with Unison and GMB, stated that Mr. Barclay would “be on the hook if people suffer.”
“Steve Barclay is holding the nation hostage,” she told the Daily Mirror.
The government can end the health care strikes if it indicates a desire to negotiate salary, according to the unions.
They said that negotiations are ongoing with ambulance trusts to develop comprehensive strategies for coverage.
Government officials have stated that the government cannot afford to meet union pay requests, and its position has not changed.
The walkouts will comprise paramedics, control room personnel, and support personnel.
The CEO of the Welsh Ambulance Service, Jason Killings, stated that roughly 15% of calls were for life-threatening emergencies, however, this varied by location.
A mechanism was in place for a “complete return to duty in the event of a proclaimed major emergency,” such as a terrorist attack, he explained.
On the 28th of December, GMB members will conduct a second strike in response to the action.
This morning, the government’s emergency Cobra committee met to consider ways to mitigate the impact of the ambulance strike. Ministers have already indicated that military personnel will be on readiness to assist.
