Ambulance workers form picket line during strike in Taunton

Members of UNISON gathered outside Taunton Ambulance Station on Lisieux Way to protest over pay and staffing.

Workers formed the picket around 10am and today's strike marked the start of a two-day action planned for this month.

This month’s strikes will each be for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight, and involve all ambulance employees, not just the 999 response crews.

Conor Calby, a paramedic and lead UNISON representative, was among the workers forming a picket line outside Taunton Ambulance Station this morning.

He said: “This strike is due to the lack of negotiations with the Government. We ended up with Steve Barclay [health secretary] walking out of negotiations.

“Negotiations are a two-way process and we are trying to do our best.

“There’s a lack of progress from the government. The strike on December 21 was a very strong strike. The support from the public was overwhelming and we expect to have a lot of support today, too.

“We need to start talks. We are very clear that the strikes will be called off if they come up with a serious pay rise.”

Mr Calby, who worked in Taunton and recently moved to Bridgwater, also mentioned staffing and retention among the issues that currently affect the NHS and said that some members of staff are leaving or going part-time.

“This strike is different because it also includes our fleet team, HR, IT, our call takers.

“We have negotiated with the trust and we made clear we will cover emergencies to make sure it is safe,” he also said.

 

During industrial action today, please continue to call 999, especially if it’s a life-threatening injury/illness. 📞🚨

If you are not in a life-threatening situation, you may be asked to consider seeking alternative transport if you need medical support. 🚗

#HelpUsToHelpYou pic.twitter.com/NGkHHezA1i

— South Western Ambulance Service (@swasFT) January 11, 2023

Confirmed picket lines in Somerset

Here are the confirmed picket lines at ambulance stations and other SWASFT workplaces.

Pickets started at 10am and run through until 10pm.

• Bridgwater AS (entrance to Woodlands Court, Bridgwater TA6 4FJ)
• Ilminster AS (4 Butts, Ilminster TA19 0AX)
• Minehead AS (Townsend Rd, Minehead TA24 6DS)
• Shepton Mallet AS (Board Cross, Shepton Mallet BA4 5DX)
• Taunton AS (Lisieux Way, Taunton TA1 2LB)
• Yeovil AS (47 Reckleford, Yeovil BA20 1JF)