NORTH West Ambulance Service paramedics will strike this weekend as part of a long-running pay dispute.

Its GMB union members will walk out for 12-hours on Saturday from 6am and 8am.

It the fourth walkout in recent weeks after a ballot of members saw more than 84% vote for strike action.

Lisa Ward, interim director of organisational development  for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), said 'robust plans' were in place to ensure as much cover as possible during the strike action. 

The GMB says paramedics working for North West Ambulance Service have waited patiently for the outcome of job re-evaluation going back more than 13 years.

Mike Buoey, union organiser, said: "Our members are desperate to get this situation resolved – they've been waiting a long time for their job to be re-evaluated for the years between 2005 to 2016.

“The last thing we want is ongoing industrial action, yet NWAS seem determined to let the situation continue.

“We’ve had just one meeting since the strikes started – most of the time we are forced to speak via email.

“We’ve asked a number of times to meet with the chair of the Trust, and we get ignored.

“This is not the way to solve a delicate dispute.

“After almost 13 years, our members are now saying enough is enough.”

Lisa Ward, interim director of organisational development  for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), said: "The trust is extremely disappointed with this fourth day of action and is frustrated with the reluctance of GMB to discuss any movement from their current position.

"This is despite the positive discussions which have enabled us to reach an agreement on this matter with our other partner trade unions UNISON and Unite, who represent the majority of our staff.

"We have now also received formal notification that this action will occur every weekend from July 21 until October.

"I am in no doubt that their actions will effect patients although we will be doing all we can to minimise any impact on the public.

"It is fair to say that the action so far has had little impact on our ability to respond to patients, however, this extended period of action is highly likely to cause some delays, particularly to the less urgent calls. 

"We have robust plans to ensure as much cover as possible throughout the region but we urge the public to help us by only calling 999 for life-threatening or potentially life-threatening emergencies.

"For non-emergency health concerns, alternative care and advice can be found though local pharmacies, GP surgeries, walk-in centres or NHS111."