Paramedics and other ambulance staff are being asked if they are willing to take strike action in a dispute over rest periods, says UNISON today (Monday).
The union says ambulance crews are frequently forced to work long hours without breaks, putting patient safety and staff welfare at risk.
UNISON, with Unite and GMB, met with the Scottish government and employers today and agreed talks will continue in order to find a solution.
The union says shifts often overrun because ambulances are stacked up in car parks with ambulance crews unable to hand over patients at the end of their shift due to excessive waiting times.
UNISON Scottish Ambulance joint branch secretary Kevin Stewart said: “Long working days without proper rest breaks, coupled with being forced to work excessive overtime, has a big impact on staff health and welfare.
“Ambulance staff are dedicated health professionals committed to saving lives. They work in challenging jobs and understand the pressures on the service only too well.
“The Scottish Ambulance Service has ignored UNISON’s attempts to find a solution to this crisis for more than two years.
UNISON Scottish Ambulance branch joint secretary Gillian Somerville said: “It’s not too much to ask for the employer to work with the union to support staff welfare. Ambulance workers need rest breaks to stay safe at all times.
“Industrial action is always a last resort. The Scottish government need to understand that staff expect action. Finding a solution to this crisis now is the way to avoid an all-out strike.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is Scotland’s largest union, with more than 150,000 members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, care, police services, water, and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.