Worthing ambulance workers join national strike: Car drivers beep horn in support
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Members of the GMB Union, who work for the South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb), took part in the second wave of industrial action – which was initially postponed before the new year. As many as 25,000 emergency service workers, including ambulance drivers, joined the strike.
Emergency care support worker Tom Putnam was among those on the picket line outside Worthing Ambulance Station from the early hours of the morning.
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Hide AdTom said ‘civil and dignified industrial action’ was taking place ‘ultimately to protect the long term future of the NHS’.
He added: “Taking industrial action is never easy. A local supermarket is about to increase its minimum wage to £11 an hour. Without being disrespectful, it’s not a job that carries life saving responsibilities.
"I was saddened to see that wage is more than some of my colleagues who are just joining the service. They are responsible for responding to emergency calls and providing timely life saving treatment. I hope that the service is worth more than the minimum wage.
"There are so many vacancies in the NHS and we can't provide a satisfactory service. There was an example from yesterday where a colleague on a 12 hour shift didn't get a meal break until their last hour as they had spent hours waiting for a patient hand-over.”
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Hide AdHealth Secretary Steve Barclay said before the strike that there would be disruption with fewer ambulances on the roads. There were also concerns the NHS was already at breaking point with admissions rates rising due to the winter weather.
As with the first strike days before Christmas, the military were pictured in action, supporting the few ambulance crews – helping to deliver critical patients.
However, Tom told SussexWorld it wasn’t a strike ‘in a traditional sense’, as staff were ready and able to respond to emergencies when called upon.
"We’ve got people on the picket line what will respond to emergencies on the picket line if needed,” he said. “It has appeared today that demand has reduced and we haven’t been contacted to respond to any emergencies. We’ve got quite good cover and provision locally.
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Hide Ad“The government needs to simply get round the table and prepare a sustainable funding plan for the NHS and its staff. We are continuing to have, year on year, pay erosion so people are forced to leave this role and consider other jobs like supermarkets – which are paying the same or a bit more.”
Striking ambulance workers were heartened by the sound of car horns as drivers expressed their support.
"As long as there is support for the health service, there will continue to be one,” Tom said. “At the minute, if that support ever would go, the health service would vanish. It's heart-warming to see the support we have received."