Lifesaving ambulance staff in our region are being left ‘desperate’ and with ‘no choice’ but to strike, union leaders and politicians have said.

North East Ambulance Service workers from the Unison and GMB unions have both voted to strike in an ongoing row over pay, working conditions, staff shortages and ambulance delays.

Frontline lifesaving paramedics, 999 call handlers, ambulance technicians are emergency care assistants are among those set to walk out.

Read more: Disgraced sex offender police officer who groped colleagues barred from profession

Union leaders have told The Northern Echo ambulance workers are ‘on their knees’, ‘desperate’ and warned that the NHS was in a ‘dire’ situation.

Clare Williams, Unison Northern Regional Secretary told The Echo: “Health workers haven’t taken this decision lightly and it is really a reflection of their concerns.

“We are seeing ambulances queued up at hospital. Staff are really worried that the Government isn’t listening to them and the NHS is in a dire situation.

The Northern Echo:

“We have health workers in the region who are going to work day in day out delivering services we all need but then cannot even pay their own bills.”

GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison added: “Ambulance workers – like other NHS workers – are on their knees.

“No one in the NHS takes strike action lightly – today shows just how desperate they are.

To get more stories direct to your email basket go here 

“This is as much about unsafe staffing levels and patient safety as it is about pay. A third of GMB ambulance workers think delays they’ve been involved with have led to the death of a patient. 

“Something has to change or the service as we know it will collapse.”

Both unions have said walkouts, which also include ambulance staff in Yorkshire, may take place before Christmas.

It comes as nurses in our region will also walk out for the first time ever for two days next month in a row over pay and conditions. Two strike dates have been set by the Royal College of Nursing on December 15 and 20.

Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough told The Northern Echo health workers had been left with ‘no choice’ other than to strike.

The Northern Echo: Andy McDonaldAndy McDonald (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Labour MP said: “I'm afraid with Ambulance workers having to resort to strike action, its yet more key workers, the very ones we clapped as they bravely battled on our behalf right through the pandemic, and who now work under the most awful stresses with too much month to get to the end of their pay packet, now being left with no choice other than to take industrial action.

Read more: HSBC to close 5 North East branches next year - see if your local bank is affected

“As I said to the Prime Minister in the House of Commons, workers have no option other than to withdraw their labour as they are simply not paid enough to make ends meet.

“That is an utter scandal.”

But Simon Clarke, Conservative MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland and former Levelling-Up Secretary told The Echo inflationary pay increases are ‘simply unaffordable’ in the current climate.

The Northern Echo: Simon ClarkeSimon Clarke (Image: The Northern Echo)

Mr Clarke said: “As much as everybody would like to see ambulance staff salaries rise in line with inflation, doing so is simply unaffordable in the current climate.

“Unison knows this and, in full possession of the facts, they know it is entirely unreasonable to take strike action at this time.

“It should be remembered that, despite very challenging financial circumstances, NHS investment has increased every year since 2010. In real terms, NHS spending in England this year is 12% higher than it was even in 2019/20.

To read more politics news from The Northern Echo click here

“Nonetheless, Unison’s general secretary, Christina McAnea, has called for 'huge increases in staffing' and has attacked the Government for what she calls 'inaction'.

“The Government has taken appropriate steps to ensure that the NHS can look forward to a healthy and viable future. But I am afraid that cannot include, for example, a 17% pay increase for nurses, no matter how much we appreciate their service. The same holds true for paramedics.

“As I have said previously, I am very happy for the Government to make sensible contingency plans in the event of any strike action by paramedics. If that requires the assistance of the Army, I think overwhelmingly people would be supportive and grateful."

The Northern Echo:

The North East Ambulance service sought to reassure patients last night that plans will be put in place to ensure critical services can run on strike days.

Karen O’Brien, director of people and development at North East Ambulance Service, said: “Although NHS pay is a matter for the Government and the trade unions, we recognise this is a very difficult time for everyone, including our colleagues.

Read more: Four teenagers arrested after reports of ‘aggressive’ moped riders targeting school

“Whilst we have no role in negotiating the terms at the heart of the dispute, we need to ensure plans are in place to keep critical services running while respecting the right of staff to take industrial action.

“There may be an impact on non-urgent work because of industrial action. We are working closely with our trade union representatives and the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives to ensure safe services remain.

“We recognise this can be a worrying time for our colleagues who work incredibly hard every day to keep our patients safe. We value the contribution of all of our staff, regardless of where they work within the organisation.

“Patient safety is always paramount and plans will be in place to ensure critical services keep running.”

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here