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Scammers pretending to be striking ambulance workers have been trying to defraud people by asking for money to cover their “wages”. The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) posted a statement to social media warning the public that scammers had been asking for donations to cover pay lost due to going on strike.
Members of the GMB, Unite and Unison unions are set to take industrial action on December 21 in a protest over pay, with GMB members also striking on December 28.
In their Twitter post, the NWAS wrote: “We have been made aware that there are some people in Manchester posing as ambulance service staff and knocking on people’s doors asking for donations to pay wages whilst on strike.
“Please note, these people are not North West Ambulance Service staff, so please don’t donate.
“If you find their behaviour concerning, please report it to the police via 101.”
NWAS paramedic and GMB member Paul Turner told Sky News: “GMB is not taking part in any fundraising of this kind.
“Betraying people’s trust in this way is absolutely outrageous. What is wrong with people?”
Union officials have confirmed that its members are not allowed to collect funds door-to-door to finance the strike.
READ MORE: ‘Nurses show courage as they fight a noble cause’
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) had attempted to negotiate a better pay deal for its members, however they confirmed talks had fallen through earlier this week.
Another strike day for RCN members is planned for December 20.
Members on the picket lines told Sky News they had raised fears about insufficient staffing and the risk to patients’ lives but that they had been ignored.
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