UK ambulance strike: Make definite pledge on wages, urges union head

NHS workers' unions are demanding staff pay hikes beyond the inflation rate. However, Steve Barclay, the UK's Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said that such a hike is 'unaffordable'. The England and Wales governments promised a minimum of £1,400 and a hike of 4.75 per cent on average. The unions, unhappy with this proposal, are set to go on a strike on Wednesday without a "very firm commitment" on pay, according to Union General Secretary Christina McAnea.

Things you need to know about the NHS workers' strike

• A second-strike involving nurses will begin on Tuesday.

• About 10,000 ambulance staff will participate in the strike on Wednesday and December 28 in England and Wales.


• The government is yet to take any action to prevent the strike.

• The government's primary focus in talks with the unions is on patient safety and conditions rather than discussing the pay hikes as demanded by the unions.

Will healthcare be disrupted during the strikes?

• According to the trade union laws, health workers must provide life-preserving care even during strikes.

• So, the health secretary has demanded "sufficient" emergency cover from the unions during the strikes.

• Moreover, Downing Street confirmed that the armed forces would provide their assistance to minimise disruptions.

FAQs:

1. What is the health secretary's take on the strikes?
   Steve Barclay has requested the health worker unions to respect the autonomy of the NHS pay review body that suggested the current proposal.
2. How long will the NHS workers' strike last?
   Neither the government nor the unions are ready to agree with each other. So, the strike is likely to go on for a long time.