Surrey ambulance staff to strike over pay - union

Staff at the Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust voted in favour of strike action

Ambulance care assistant workers have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action over pay.

GMB Union members at the Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust voted almost 94% in favour of taking action on a turnout of nearly 80%.

The dispute centres around backpay owed on the London Living Wage, with members owed up to £1,300 in wages, the union said.

A trust spokesperson said: “As of this month, all staff now receive the London Living Wage.”

GMB regional organiser Helen O’Connor said: “Our members carry out vital work for the community as they escort patients to life-saving treatments.

“Ambulance staff care deeply about their patients and none of them want to strike.

"But they have been forced into this situation by Epsom and St Helier NHS who are inexplicably withholding wages owed to these staff."

Strike dates have yet to be announced by the union.

“Any strike action is likely to cause severe disruption to patient appointments and treatments," Ms O'Connor said.