Anger over plans to cut paramedics' pay by 16%
A union has expressed concern at an ambulance company's plans to cut the salaries of its paramedics by 16%.
Norvic Ambulance, based in Taverham, near Norwich, is proposing a 4% pay cut for emergency medical technicians and a 16% (more than £4,000) cut for paramedics, says union Unison.
Unison says the cuts will hit the quality of the service it provides for the East of England Ambulance Service.
Norvic was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.
Norvic recently won a three-year contract with the East of England Ambulance Service, which started this year.
It mostly provides non-emergency transport, but has been used in emergencies where back-up was needed.
Tim Roberts, from Unison, said the firm had told him that Norvic Ambulance was profitable but needed to make a greater profit.
He said the 16% cut in salaries of between £24,000 and £27,000 will "almost certainly have an impact on recruitment and retention of staff".
"This is about increasing profitability. That means more money going to investors and less money going on patient care," he said.
Norvic Ambulance does not recognise the union Unison, which represents a number of workers at the firm.