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Ambulance workers strike in Yorkshire | Ambulance workers strike in Yorkshire |
(6 months later) | |
Around 450 ambulance service workers are on strike across Yorkshire in a dispute over cuts in patient care, a trade union has said. | Around 450 ambulance service workers are on strike across Yorkshire in a dispute over cuts in patient care, a trade union has said. |
Members of Unite who work for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust picketed 17 stations across the region. | Members of Unite who work for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust picketed 17 stations across the region. |
Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said the dispute came after the ambulance service "de-recognised" the union in a row over how planned changes would affect patient safety. | Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said the dispute came after the ambulance service "de-recognised" the union in a row over how planned changes would affect patient safety. |
He said the dispute concerned £46m of cuts and plans to introduce a care assistant role – for which there would be six weeks' training – to replace ambulance technicians. | He said the dispute concerned £46m of cuts and plans to introduce a care assistant role – for which there would be six weeks' training – to replace ambulance technicians. |
"We say that's not sufficient to turn up to emergencies and provide life-saving patient care," Cunliffe said on a picket line at ambulance headquarters in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday. | "We say that's not sufficient to turn up to emergencies and provide life-saving patient care," Cunliffe said on a picket line at ambulance headquarters in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Tuesday. |
"It's not a political decision. I'm not sure what alternative we have. | "It's not a political decision. I'm not sure what alternative we have. |
"Our members are left with no voice in the National Health Service. That's unacceptable to us and we won't be silenced." | "Our members are left with no voice in the National Health Service. That's unacceptable to us and we won't be silenced." |
Cunliffe warned Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust: "You must listen to us on patient safety issues." | Cunliffe warned Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust: "You must listen to us on patient safety issues." |
The majority of ambulance staff, including members of other unions, were continuing to work. | The majority of ambulance staff, including members of other unions, were continuing to work. |
Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said it expected the action to put pressure on services but provisions had been made. | Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said it expected the action to put pressure on services but provisions had been made. |
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