Around 1,500 Wales ambulance workers will join a mass strike again on Monday (February 20).

They will join almost 10,000 ambulance workers across England on strike, after GMB Union working for Wales Ambulance Service rejected a new pay offer from the Welsh Government. 

Almost 1,500 turned down the deal – amounting to an average 5.5 per cent pay rise and a 1.5 per cent one off bonus. 

Around two thirds of members rejected the offer, which saw an extra 3 per cent added to the existing deal pay packet, only half of which would be consolidated into next year’s discussions. 

This would mean that members would be losing 1.5% of their pay for next year’s talks. 

Nathan Holman, GMB Welsh NHS lead said: “This is a clear result and members have had their say on the offer. 

“We thank Welsh Government for actually entering talks, but if this is their final offer it’s too low for our members. 

“Now more than ever, we need a UK wide solution to the scourge of low pay that has affected our NHS and ambulance services. 

“The only person who can take responsibility for that is Steve Barclay and it’s time for him to step up and talk pay now.  

“Ambulance workers across England and Wales are waiting.” 

Plaid Cymru has responded to the news with the party’s Health and Care spokesperson, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS, stating: “Paramedics across Wales have had enough. Their pay has been eroded, and they need more support through their employment terms and conditions. That’s reflected again in this rejection of the poor offer on the table by Welsh Government.

“Plaid Cymru stands in solidarity with our Paramedics.

“We know that to strike is the last thing they want, but they feel that they have no other choice.

“The Welsh Government must come back to the table and understand that there really is no greater priority than offering a fair settlement so we can start rebuilding health services, with the workforce at its heart.”