Give them a rise, they deserve it ![ipf/rage.gif](http://4.<a href="http://www.forumer.com">forumer</a>.com/html/emoticons/ipf/rage.gif)
Ambulance workers across Merseyside and Cheshire have gone on strike in a dispute over pay.
Technicians, who assist paramedics in ambulances, began a 24-hour walkout on Thursday after the collapse of pay talks on Wednesday night.
It followed a ballot of 200 Ambulance Service Union (ASU) members.
The North West Ambulance Service said it had robust contingency plans in place and was disappointed with the union's response to talks.
The dispute was sparked by the introduction of a new national NHS pay structure.
The trust said the system would introduce a new basic salary with additional payments for working unsociable hours.
But the union said the change would equate a cut in the hourly rate paid to ambulance technicians.
A trust spokesman said: "We have spent months in talks with the union... but we have regrettably not been able to reach a suitable position for both sides.
"The new national NHS pay structure is one which the trust has no choice but to adopt.
"We have worked hard to ensure that technicians and others receive the best possible outcome, ensuring they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work."
Staff from other regions, managers and trainers are being drafted in on Thursday to ensure ambulance services are maintained.
Other measures included vehicles being staffed by the St John Ambulance, a greater number of rapid response cars and the use of volunteers. The strike does not affect paramedics.
Ray Carrick, assistant general secretary of ASU, said the union had done everything possible to ensure the public were not put at risk by the strike.
"We've worked with the employers to maintain an emergency service," he said.
"We've agreed procedures with them and made it absolutely clear that in the event of a major incident taking place, staff will suspend the action and immediately return to work."
The trust said the contingency plans were going well on Thursday.
"We believe a number of technicians have turned up for work and we are extremely grateful to them for their support," a spokesman said.
Ambulance workers across Merseyside and Cheshire have gone on strike in a dispute over pay.
Technicians, who assist paramedics in ambulances, began a 24-hour walkout on Thursday after the collapse of pay talks on Wednesday night.
It followed a ballot of 200 Ambulance Service Union (ASU) members.
The North West Ambulance Service said it had robust contingency plans in place and was disappointed with the union's response to talks.
The dispute was sparked by the introduction of a new national NHS pay structure.
The trust said the system would introduce a new basic salary with additional payments for working unsociable hours.
But the union said the change would equate a cut in the hourly rate paid to ambulance technicians.
A trust spokesman said: "We have spent months in talks with the union... but we have regrettably not been able to reach a suitable position for both sides.
"The new national NHS pay structure is one which the trust has no choice but to adopt.
"We have worked hard to ensure that technicians and others receive the best possible outcome, ensuring they receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work."
Staff from other regions, managers and trainers are being drafted in on Thursday to ensure ambulance services are maintained.
Other measures included vehicles being staffed by the St John Ambulance, a greater number of rapid response cars and the use of volunteers. The strike does not affect paramedics.
Ray Carrick, assistant general secretary of ASU, said the union had done everything possible to ensure the public were not put at risk by the strike.
"We've worked with the employers to maintain an emergency service," he said.
"We've agreed procedures with them and made it absolutely clear that in the event of a major incident taking place, staff will suspend the action and immediately return to work."
The trust said the contingency plans were going well on Thursday.
"We believe a number of technicians have turned up for work and we are extremely grateful to them for their support," a spokesman said.