The threat of industrial action by ambulance staff in Wiltshire has been lifted as talks continue between Union officials and management at Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS).
Unison notified GWAS that industrial action would start tomorrow after failing to resolve a dispute over new shift patterns and the use of Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs), who have basic first aid skills, on ambulances.
But today Unison postponed industrial action following concerns by GWAS about the legal process. More talks are being held between Unison and GWAS at the offices of Acas (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) in Bristol.
David Whiting, outgoing chief executive of GWAS, said: "The legal advice we obtained indicated there were concerns about the lack of detail provided by Unison in issuing with notice of industrial action.
"We are keen to avoid industrial action and committed to finding an amicable alternative to Unison's dispute for the benefit of our staff and the patients we serve."
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