PARAMEDICS and nurses at the South Western Ambulance Service will strike on Monday (October 13).

UNISON members who work for the ambulance service that covers the South West of England will take industrial action to reinstate a one per cent pay rise that was recommended by the NHS Pay Review Body this year.

Amongst the people taking industrial action will be paramedics, nurses, technicians, staff working for the 111 out of hours service, and other administrative  and logistical support workers.

Action will be in the form of a strike on Monday between 7am and 11am, followed by an overtime ban for the week ending on the 17th.

UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: "This Government's treatment of NHS workers has angered them and this anger has now turned into action.

“Refusing to pay them even a paltry 1per cent shows what the Government really thinks about its health workers. Inflation has continued to rise since 2011 and the value of NHS pay has fallen by around 12 per cent. 

"We know health workers don’t take strike action lightly or often. The last action over pay was 32 years ago.  But we also know a demoralised and demotivated workforce isn’t good for patients.

"We will work with NHS employers to minimize the impact on patients. But it’s not too late for Jeremy Hunt to act to avoid this and we repeat our offer to the Government to negotiate with us. To date the secretary of state has refused to meet with health unions to negotiate pay." 

Joanne Kaye, UNISON South West, regional secretary said: “Our members across the board work hard to deliver quality public services, day in day out and deserve a decent pay rise.

“The MP’s pay review body recommended an award of 9 per cent. While prices rise and rise, many of our members and their families are finding it impossible to cope.

“As the end of the month draws close, the choise between car fuel, grocery shopping or school meals becomes harder and harder. Our members are simply asking for a fair pay rise.”