More than 10,000 ambulance workers across nine NHS trusts in England, including those in Oxfordshire’s South Central Ambulance Service, are set to walk out on December 21 and December 28, escalating tensions in an ongoing national dispute over pay and conditions.

The first wave of industrial action by GMB union members will occur on Thursday, December 21, just a day after the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) holds its second strike. A further day of action is scheduled for Thursday, December 28, involving paramedics, emergency care assistants (ECAs), call handlers, and support staff.

GMB national secretary Rachel Harrison said:

“After 12 years of Conservative cuts to the service and their pay packets, NHS staff have had enough. The last thing they want to do is go on strike, but the government has forced them to. Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health, needs to listen and engage with us on pay.”

GMB representatives are set to meet with individual ambulance trusts to define “life-and-limb” emergency coverage protocols for the strike days.

Unite and Unison Join Coordinated Strike Action

More than 1,600 Unite members across ambulance services in the West Midlands, North West, and North East will join the walkouts. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham described the action as a “stern warning” to the government:

“Make no mistake, we are now in the fight of our lives for the NHS itself. Our members are taking a stand to save our NHS from this government. These strikes are a stark warning.”

Unison, the largest NHS union, echoed these concerns. Sara Gorton, head of health at Unison, warned:

“Ambulance workers and their medical colleagues don’t want to inconvenience anyone, but ministers are refusing to do the one thing that could prevent disruption: begin genuine pay negotiations.”

NHS Trusts Brace for Disruption

NHS Providers interim chief executive Saffron Cordery said trust leaders are working hard to prepare:

“Today’s announcement of coordinated action by the GMB, Unison, and Unite underlines the sheer urgency of the need for Government and union leaders to get around the table. If talks do not take place, there is a real risk of escalation and joint strikes across the NHS in January.”

Despite the industrial action, NHS trusts affected by the strikes on December 21 and 28 will do all they can to minimise disruption for patients and maintain emergency cover.

Key Details:

• Strike Dates: Thursday 21 December & Thursday 28 December 2025

• Unions Involved: GMB, Unison, Unite

• Services Affected: Ambulance services across 9 trusts, including South Central, West Midlands, North West, and North East

• Cause: Pay and working conditions

• Emergency Cover: Life-and-limb protections under discussion with individual trusts

• Next Steps: Potential escalation to broader health service strikes in January