Photos: Ambulance workers form picket line in Ilminster

Members of UNISON gathered outside Ilminster Ambulance Station to protest over pay and staffing.

Workers formed the picket around 10am and the action marked the start of a two-day action planned for this month.

This month’s strikes will each be for 24 hours, from midnight to midnight, and involve all ambulance employees, not just the 999 response crews.

Conor Calby, a paramedic and lead UNISON representative, said: “This strike is due to the lack of negotiations with the Government. We ended up with Steve Barclay [health secretary] walking out of negotiations.

“Negotiations are a two-way process and we are trying to do our best.

“There’s a lack of progress from the government. The strike on December 21 was a very strong strike. The support from the public was overwhelming and we expect to have a lot of support today, too.

“We need to start talks. We are very clear that the strikes will be called off if they come up with a serious pay rise.”

Mr Calby, who worked in Taunton and recently moved to Bridgwater, also mentioned staffing and retention among the issues that currently affect the NHS and said that some members of staff are leaving or going part-time.

“This strike is different because it also includes our fleet team, HR, IT, our call takers.

“We have negotiated with the trust and we made clear we will cover emergencies to make sure it is safe,” he also said.