UK ambulance workers to stage more strikes in February, March

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Thousands of ambulance workers across Britain will stage more strikes in February and March, the GMB, a general trade union in the country, announced on Wednesday.

More than 10,000 paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other ambulance staff, at eight National Health Service (NHS) trusts will go on strike on Feb. 6, Feb. 20, March 6 and March 20.

The union said that the decision was taken after the government refused to make an offer on pay.

Meanwhile, ambulance workers at West Midlands will go on strike on Monday and North West Ambulance Service workers on Tuesday.

"Our message to the government is clear, talk pay now," GMB National Secretary Rachel Harrison told Sky News.

Earlier this week, teachers, train drivers and nurses also announced new strikes to be staged in February and March.

"Ministers have made things worse by demonising the ambulance workers who provided life and limb cover on strike days - playing political games with their scaremongering," she added.