Yorkshire ambulance staff vote to strike

Yorkshire ambulance staff have voted to strike next weekend (July 5 and 6) - threatening disruption to the Grand Départ.
Action: 84 per cent of staff voted to strikeAction: 84 per cent of staff voted to strike
Action: 84 per cent of staff voted to strike

The service workers, who are affiliated to the UK’s largest union, Unite, have threatened the action after a long-running dispute with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust over working conditions.

Unite alleges that new “detrimental” measures were imposed on staff earlier this month, with Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs) having to take on more duties, and some paramedics being denied lunch breaks during 12 hour shifts.

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84 per cent of members voted in favour of industrial action, prompting Unite to claim they had a “strong mandate” for the strike.

Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said: “Once again our members have spoken with a clear voice that concern for patient and staff safety remains absolutely paramount.

“This is a very strong mandate and we urge the trust’s chief executive, David Whiting, who recently imposed draconian conditions without any agreement with the unions, to sit down for urgent and constructive talks.

“Unite’s door is open for talks under the auspices of the concilliation service Acas, at any time.”

Extra numbers of paramedics were due to be on call over the Tour de France weekend, with emergency services in Yorkshire preparing for an expected 3 million visitors to the county for the event.