AMBULANCE workers once again took to the picket line to fight for fair pay earlier this week.

More than half of Wales' ambulance workers were said to have gone on strike in a continued dispute over pay and working conditions on Monday, February 20.

Both Unite and GMB members were striking that day, with Unite members also set to walk out on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Welsh government previously said it was "disappointed" its 3% pay offer for 2022-23 was rejected.

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One politician who joined those on strike at the picket line in Wrexham was North Wales MS Llyr Gruffydd.

He said: "In Wales in recent months, we have seen some of the slowest ambulance response times on record for the most life-threatening calls. We all know about ambulances queuing up for hours outside A and E departments due to a lack of hospital beds.

"Our NHS is in crisis and, like our NHS, the ambulance service is also facing an ongoing crisis over staffing levels.

"Unions are telling us that higher pay and better working conditions are the only solutions to prevent staff leaving the profession and to make it attractive enough for new recruits.

"That's why it's vital the Welsh Government get back around the table to show that these workers are valued."  

Those striking in Wrexham joined others all over Wales in doing so from Amlwch on Anglesey to Llanelli and everywhere in between.

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Our members are telling me loud and clear that the new pay offer from Welsh Government is not acceptable. Unite is therefore escalating its industrial action.

“Without a decent consolidated pay rise, the staffing exodus afflicting NHS Wales will continue, and so will the current crisis.

“Unite is entirely focused on fighting for our members and for the future of the NHS. Unite’s Welsh Ambulance Service members will continue to receive the union’s total support.”

Unite Wales Regional Officer, Richard Munn, added: “Our members have told us that the latest pay offer made is not good enough and that Welsh Government must do better if this dispute is to be resolved. 

"We are asking Welsh Government to improve their offer in order to avert further industrial action”.

In response, a Welsh government spokesperson said: "This is the best offer we can make in our current funding settlement.

"We have drawn together all our available funding from across the Welsh Government to make this improved offer to try and resolve the dispute.

"We will wait for the views of other health trade union colleagues who continue to discuss this offer before considering the next steps. We are committed to continuing to work in social partnership."