CAB128-94_A1b — Page 154

CONFIDENTIAL

NFIDENT

The Cabinet

Took note.

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Page 154

Industrial ction in the

Ambulance Service

Previous Reference:

C(89) 29.2

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH said that the action by

mbulance staff which had begun on 14 September had proceeded fox five weeks with few serious consequences. On 23 October

ever the Unions had introduced a number of new rules on

arrangements aimed at disrupting services in London. e Management Side of the National Health Service (NHS) Whitley Council, since they could not guarantee a reliable ambulance service in the capital in these circumstances, had had to stop the pay of the ambulance staff. For more than 24 hours emergency cayer had had to be provided by the Metropolitan Police, with assistance from the St John's Ambulance Brigade and the Red Cross. Although they had managed as well as could be expected th had had no properly equipped vehicles and were not qualified give more than basic first aid treatment. It

had been fortunate that no serious incidents had occurred.

Continuing, the SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH said that, following discussions between the London Ambulance Managers and the Unions' local convents, the Unions had agreed to revoke some of the more damaging ew rules, and previous patterns of working had resumed on 4tober. Discussions between the Management Side and the no had also begun at ACAS the same day, and were to resume that afternoon. He was not optimistic of an early settlement, since the two sides were very far apart. The Unions were seeking a double figure pay increase and a link with the pay arrangements for other emergency services. The Management Side, on the other here fully aware of the implications of such a settlement for future negotiations with other NHS staff and were determined to resist the current claim. A breakdown in the talks could result in an escalation of industrial action in various parts of the country such as the North West. It would, however, be highly regrettable if the extra resources granted to the NHS to in services were swallowed up by increases in the NHS pay b.) The Government should therefore give strong support to the Management Side's robust stance. It was known that he was making contingency arrangements with the Secretary of State for Deren for the Armed Forces to provide an accident and emergency vice if necessary, but he proposed to continue to take thee that it would be most undesirable for arrangements to have to be put into operation.

THE PRIME MINISTER, summing up a brief discussion, said that the Government had to ensure that an adequate accident and emergen service was provided throughout the country. There would be

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