STRIKE action will hit the Welsh ambulance service tomorrow as Unite members walk out, while pay talks with the Welsh government continued over the weekend.

Other health unions in Wales decided to pause industrial action to consult members this week after an improved pay offer was negotiated in intensive talks last week.

The improved offer includes the £1,400 consolidated increase from the NHS pay review body and a further 3 per cent, of which 1.5 per cent is consolidated into pay and backdated to April 2022.

The Welsh government has also committed to include any improved pay settlement reached in England, and talks continue this week on non-pay commitments.

“We are awaiting a formal response from each of the individual trade unions,” a Welsh government spokesperson said.

Wales’s biggest health union Unison said its healthcare committee would consider the offer this week.

Unison Cymru/Wales head of health Hugh McDyer said: “We are pleased intensive discussion has resulted in an improved offer.

“Unison will continue discussions with Welsh ministers on the further improvements to employment conditions.”

Opposition parties broadly welcomed the decision to call off the strikes but wanted to know why the government had said there was no extra cash.

The Royal College of Nurses in Wales has also cancelled this week’s strike and will be putting the offer directly to its members.

RCN Wales director Helen Whyley said: “The pressure put on the Welsh government has been key to these negotiations moving forward.

“The Health Minister should be under no illusion that we will not hesitate to return to strike action should the offer be rejected.” 

GMB Welsh NHS lead Nathan Holman said:  “This has only been made possible because the Welsh government has been prepared to talk about pay: a lesson for those in charge on the other side of the Severn bridge.”

The Royal College of Midwives has also postponed its action. Midwives director for Wales Julie Richards said: “It is important that our members now have their say.

“Make no mistake, we still have a very strong mandate for industrial action, and will not hesitate to take it if our members reject the offer or if planned talks do not move forward as promised.”