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Strike vote scuppers ambulance overhaul
Controversial plans which would have put private ambulances on the streets of Lancashire and unqualified staff manning 999 vehicles have been withdrawn after ambulance workers threatened to strike.
Industrial action could have crippled the region's service – which now extends from Crewe to Carlisle – putting patients at risk.
Union leaders, who will now not press ahead with a full ballot, said staff had been furious that North West Ambulance Service bosses were considering changes in how emergency vehicles operate without negotiation.
Proposals included:
Using private ambulances to attend 999 calls;
One qualified paramedic on vehicles instead of two;
Using retained (part-time) ambulance staff in remote and rural areas;
Using bank staff to supplement full-time staff;
Changes to working practices and shift patterns.
Three unions (Unite, Unison and the GMB) representing more than 4,500 staff across the region, held a consultative ballot which found 98% would back industrial action, with 97% of those were willing to strike.
Bob Parkinson of Unite said: "We are pleased for everyone concerned that we have avoided what would have been a very damaging dispute.
Because the plan in question has been withdrawn we are not going ahead with a ballot for industrial action.
"This was not about money – this was about protecting the lives of people in the North West."
An NWAS spokesman said today: "Following results of an indicative ballot by unions, the Trust has agreed to explore new proposals to modernise the workforce and improve patient outcomes.
"NWAS will continue to work closely with trade unions and will ensure that any proposals are affordable and designed to improve the clinical quality of patient care."
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Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
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Light sleet
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