TALKS between Great Western Ambulance Service and members of Unison are taking place this week in a bid to avert possible strike action.

The talks at the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) follow a 96 per cent vote among 570 Unison members in support of industrial action if GWAS , which covers Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon, refuses to retract changes in working conditions.

Simon Newell, Unison south west regional organiser, said the trust threatened staff with dismissal if they did not agree to the changes.

“We hope to reach an amiacable resolution. However, with over 96 per cent of members saying ‘Yes’ to some form of action, our members have left us in no doubt what our next steps should be,” he added.

GWAS chief executive David Whiting said: “We believe that the majority of staff understand the need for these changes, indeed less than a quarter of our A&E road crews voted for strike.”

He said contingency plans were in place to ensure 999 services are not disrupted by industrial action.