Sussex ambulance worker strikes: Second day of industrial action postponed until new year

The GMB Union announced last week that paramedics, emergency care assistants, call handlers and other staff would go on strike twice either side of Christmas.

The military were called in amid the first day of industrial action on Wednesday (December 21), with one trust declaring a ‘critical incident’. Staff were due to go on strike again next Wednesday (December 28).

Rachel Harrison, GMB National Secretary said: “We are overwhelmed by Wednesday’s amazing public support for our paramedics and ambulance staff.

“People across the country have been wonderful in backing us and we care so much about them too. That’s why we are suspending the proposed GMB industrial action on December 28. “We know the public will appreciate being able to enjoy Christmas without any additional anxiety. They support us and we support them.

"The workforce crisis in our NHS is so severe and our commitment to getting ambulance staff the proper pay they deserve is stronger than ever, so we are scheduling a further date for action on January 11, 2023.”

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it will ‘continue to work’ with its unions, colleagues, volunteers and system partners ‘for future periods of industrial action’.