Four-day union congress in Harrogate draws to close

A demonstration by ambulance workers was among the highlights of a major trade union conference in Harrogate this week.

About 500 delegates from the GMB union have been in the town for the annual congress.

It is the first time the union, which represents over 500,000 members, has held its major event in Harrogate since 1928.

The congress, which ends tomorrow, began with ambulance workers demonstrating against the ‘worst ever’ pressures they are under.

The union said calls had almost doubled to 14 million a year since 2010 and the average response time for serious calls had increased from 20 minutes to 51 minutes in the year to April 2022.

Rachel Harrison, GMB national officer, said:

“Ambulance workers have faced more than a decade of cuts while demand has almost doubled.

“It’s no wonder they are leaving in droves while the service itself is teetering on the brink of collapse.

“Our members face unbelievable stress and even abuse while they do their best to administer care and save lives.

“We need urgent investment across the health and care services, otherwise we risk an unprecedented crisis.”

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