INDUSTRIAL action by ambulance workers was narrowly avoided over Christmas and Boxing Day, but could still be on the cards for the New Year. UNISON and Great Western Ambulance Service agreed that industrial action would not take place over Christmas but

INDUSTRIAL action by ambulance workers was narrowly avoided over Christmas and Boxing Day, but could still be on the cards for the New Year. UNISON and Great Western Ambulance Service agreed that industrial action would not take place over Christmas but both parties will re-open negotiations into pay and working conditions in the New Year. UNISON regional secretary Ian Ducat said: "This is a positive outcome and really good news for our members, management and the public. "It is in noone's interest for a national agreement to be breeched and now that we've established that it will be observed UNISON members are happy to suspend the threatened action."Initially, the union planned industrial action between 5-9pm on Christmas Day and 5-9am Boxing Day. As part of the plan, workers agreed to attended 999 calls, but would not be available for overtime, attend calls during meal breaks, man events, check vehicles for safety or drive around on stand-by. In a joint statement, Ian Ducat and Great Western chief executive Tim Lynch said that negotiations in the New Year would take priority to ensure better industrial relations.