Submitted by SWFBU on
South West Firefighters have sent a message of solidarity and support to Paramedics and other NHS workers who are planning to strike for fair pay.
On the 13th October UNISON members working for the South West Ambulance Service will take industrial action, including striking, as part of the national UNISON campaign to reinstate the 1% pay rise awarded by the NHS Pay Review Body earlier this year and taken away by the Government.
These will include 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 the 13th October between the hours of 7am – 11am, followed by an overtime ban for the week ending on the 17th. For full details of the action see the UNISON SW site here.
Sending a message of support on behalf of Firefighters, FBU South West Official Tam McFarlane said “The action beginning on Monday includes people who Firefighters work closely with, including Paramedics, Technicians and Nurses, and we have personal experience of the commitment and professionalism that they bring to their life saving professions. These and other vital health workers are being treated disgracefully by this Government, who are running down pay and refusing to give basic pay awards. Your members have no choice other than to strike and we thank them all for having the guts and strength to fight for fairness & justice in their professions. I have sent a letter expressing our solidarity and support to everyone involved and look forward to a successful outcome.”
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%. 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 choice between car fuel, grocery shopping or school meals becomes harder and harder. Our members are simply asking for a fair pay rise.”
“UNISON members in the ambulance service and other services put their lives on the line every day and yet it seems are not valued by this government in the same way MP’s are.”
