North West Ambulance Service paramedics suspend strikes

Paramedics locked in a pay dispute have staged several strikes in recent weeks

Paramedics in north-west England have suspended a schedule of weekly strikes to allow talks to commence in a row over pay.

GMB union members will not strike this weekend to allow discussions between the union and North West Ambulance Service management.

Two meetings have taken place involving the conciliation service ACAS.

GMB paramedics have carried 26 hour walkouts each weekend for seven weeks, with more due until the end of October.

Union organiser Mike Buoey said: "While it is early days, we are hopeful these exploratory talks may prove fruitful and help us address the concerns of our members."

Ambulance staff covering Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester have been involved in the dispute since July.

GMB said the industrial action had been "a last resort" after staff had "waited patiently" for the outcome of a job re-evaluation exercise, for more than 12 years.