Ambulance staff reject offer
UNIONS representing ambulancemen in Sussex are balloting members over industrial action after rejecting a pay deal.
The staff want a five per cent pay increase and changes to conditions, but have been offered only 3.6 per cent by the Sussex Ambulance Service Trust.
The unions also want a reduction of the working week to 40 hours and an increase in leave for accident emergency staff and workers at the Lewes control centre. They have also called for an extension of cost-of-living supplements, enhanced payments for overtime, weekend, unsociable hours and shift working, and voluntary early retirement at age 55 with no loss of benefits.
The Trust says changes to cost of living supplements and retirement age must be dealt with at national level.