Strikes update: How Monday 20 February’s walkouts will affect you

1 year ago 34

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Zoe Conway striking ambulances composite picture

By Zoe Conway

Employment correspondent

Strikes by health workers in England and Wales are set to intensify over the coming weeks. More NHS staff, at more trusts, are joining the dispute.

On Monday, ambulance workers are walking out of the ambulance trust in Wales and seven of the ten ambulance trusts in England.

Two unions are involved - Unite and the GMB. Members of Unite will then continue their ambulance strike in Wales on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In Scotland, where all health strikes are suspended, a new pay offer of 14% over two years is now on the table.

The strike by Border Force officials at Dover, Calais, Dunkirk and the Coquelles Channel Tunnel Terminal lasts until Monday morning - it's expected to end at around 07:00 GMT. The Home Office is warning travellers to expect disruption.

You can read more or watch this report about why people are taking strike action, and below you can find information on how it could affect you.

Upcoming strike action

SUN 19 FEB

Border Force

Border Force staff at the Port of Calais, Port of Dunkirk, Coquelles Channel Tunnel Terminal and the Port of Dover are taking industrial action
The strike only affects international inbound travel to the UK

MON 20 FEB

Ambulance staff

Ambulance staff in the Unite union in Wales and several regions of England are on strike
The strike affects non-life threatening calls only and people are advised to use the 999 service in an emergency

Border Force

Border Force staff at the Port of Calais, Port of Dunkirk, Coquelles Channel Tunnel Terminal and the Port of Dover are taking industrial action
The strike only affects international inbound travel to the UK only
The industrial action is due to end at around 07:00 GMT

TUE 21 FEB

Teachers in Northern Ireland

The majority of teachers in Northern Ireland are holding a half-day strike
Many schools across the country are not expected to open until after midday

WED 22 FEB

Ambulance staff

Ambulance staff in the Unite union in the North West region of England are on strike
The strike affects non-life threatening calls only and people are advised to use the 999 service in an emergency

THU 23 FEB

Ambulance staff

Ambulance staff in the Unite union in Northern Ireland are on strike
The strike affects non-life threatening calls only and people are advised to use the 999 service in an emergency

FRI 24 FEB

Ambulance staff

Ambulance staff in the Unite union in Northern Ireland are on strike
The strike affects non-life threatening calls only and people are advised to use the 999 service in an emergency

SAT 25 FEB

There are currently no national strikes planned for this date

SUN 26 FEB

There are currently no national strikes planned for this date

MON 27 FEB

There are currently no national strikes planned for this date

TUE 28 FEB

There are currently no national strikes planned for this date

WED 1 MAR

Nurses in England

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are taking industrial action over pay
For the first time, the strike will involved some nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempted.

Nurses in England

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are taking industrial action over pay
For the first time, the strike will involved some nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempted.

Teachers in Wales

Teachers in Wales who are members of the National Education Union are taking industrial action over pay
It is expected that hundreds of schools will be affected

Nurses in England

Members of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) are taking industrial action over pay
For the first time, the strike will involved some nursing staff working in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer care and other services that were previously exempted.
Strike action will end at 06:00GMT

Ambulance staff

Ambulance staff in the GMB and Unite unions in several regional services across England and from Unite in Wales are on strike
The strike affects non-life threatening calls only and people are advised to use the 999 service in an emergency

Which ambulance staff are striking?

Ambulance staff in the Unite and GMB unions in Wales and several regions of England are striking on Monday.

The strike affects calls that are not life-threatening only and people are advised to call 999 in an emergency.

Ambulances will still be sent to the most life-threatening calls - known as Category 1, which includes cardiac arrests.

Patients that need time-critical treatment, such as kidney or cancer care, will also be transported.

Less urgent calls - known as Category 2, which includes some strokes and major burns - might have to wait longer than usual for an ambulance.

Call 999 If you are seriously ill or injured, or your life is in danger
For all other healthcare needs, contact the 111 helpline, your local GP or pharmacy
Attend appointments as planned. The NHS has said it will contact anyone whose appointment has to be rescheduled due to the strike

Border Force strikes

On Monday, Border Force staff are ending their four-day strike at around 07:00 GMT.

The strike only affects international inbound travel to the UK, and there could be knock-on disruption after the strike ends.

The PCS union expected 1,000 of its members at the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Dover, and the Coquelles Channel Tunnel Terminal, to walk out over the four days.

Military personnel and civil servants have been trained to step in and carry out border checks, although military personnel will not be going to France.

Nevertheless, the government said people should prepare their families for longer waiting times at border control.

People should use e-gates where possible, and check with operators before travelling, it said.

Additional reporting by Noor Nanji

How are you affected by the strikes? Are you taking part in strike action? You can email: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

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