An ambulance service is facing a strike vote after reports of paramedics resigning at “unprecedented rates”.
The East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) staff could take action after GMB Union launches a formal industrial action ballot – with dates to be announced in the coming days.
Almost 86 per cent of EEAST members are in favour of a walk out, GMB claimed after a consultive ballot.
The union says there are almost 800 paramedics and ambulance workers who are angry over the government’s imposed 4 per cent pay award, which leaves them facing yet another massive real terms pay cut.
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Currently the service remains on “major incident standby” as ambulances were seen this month queuing outside hospitals.
Patients were also reportedly told to wait 22 hours and at times 400 callers were waiting for a response.
A report from the Halstead Gazette, which also has the service operating within its area, revealed a senior EEAST staff member said the trust is "haemorrhaging staff at an unprecedented rate".
READ ALSO: Paramedics resigning at 'unprecedented rates' as they wait 'ten hours' with patients
The paramedic added 40 employees had left the service in the last six months as staff are “knackered”.
In response to the upcoming strike vote, Lola McEvoy, GMB organiser, said: “GMB members in the ambulance service have been forced to take a stand in order to protect patient care.
“Dedicated ambulance workers are leaving trusts in droves, because the workload pressure is too much and the pay is too poor.
“Those left behind are fighting to protect themselves, their colleagues and the future of the NHS.
“They do not take industrial action lightly and haven’t gone on strike for 40 years – but things can’t go on like this; something has to give.”
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