MEMBERS of Unite who work for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service will strike this Friday and next Tuesday as part of a long-running dispute over alleged safety issues.

Nearly 400 Unite Yorkshire ambulance members will strike from 3pm until 9pm on Friday and again from 3pm until 9pm on Tuesday, September 2.

Unite regional officer Terry Cunliffe said the ambulance trust had “snubbed every genuine attempt by Unite to engage in positive talks for the benefit of the Yorkshire public. Our members firmly believe that the public deserve a first-class, fully resourced ambulance service – and, as they have shown on a number of occasions since April 2013, they have been prepared to strike to strongly make that case".

Unite said management imposed new “detrimental” working conditions which meant that emergency care assistants (ECAs), who have only six weeks training, taking on more responsibilities, such as being the first to respond to a ‘red’ emergency call.

Unite has called for ECAs to receive more training.

The union claims that longer shifts, which rule out breaks during busy times, mean it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured or killed through exhaustion.

Unite’s Yorkshire ambulance members previously took strike action on July 5 and 6.

Ian Brandwood, executive director of human resources at the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust, said: “Once again the industrial action will take place without any concessions for the most seriously ill and injured patients and we remain concerned over this type of action.

“We will continue to make every effort to get to patients as quickly as possible, whilst maintaining high standards of patient care.

“We would appreciate the co-operation of the general public. Please only call 999 for an ambulance when someone has a life-threatening or serious illness or injury.”