A STRIKE by Lancashire ambulance workers has been averted after unions voted to accept a new deal on pay and conditions.

But union bosses say there was a 'sizeable' minority who wanted a strike ballot and they will continue to monitor the agreement to make sure it is properly implemented.

Union spokesman Bob Parkinson said the Transport and General Workers' Union, UNISON and the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel asked members if they wanted to hold a strike ballot.

The move followed claims that staff were regularly being asked to work without breaks and cover for absent colleagues.

At a meeting yesterday it emerged only about one-third of the 1,000 county employees wanted to proceed with the ballot, the rest preferring to accept a new five-point deal.

He said: "Following consultation with members of all three unions, it has been decided to accept management proposals on the five main points.

"This will avoid any requirement to ballot for industrial action and ,given the results, we do not think it is feasible to take that action.

"However, we have been made very aware that there is a sizeable minority who have indicated the desire to ballot for strike action.

"We will be reviewing management proposals on a half-yearly basis to make sure the agreement is being honoured."

The five assurances the unions say they have won are meal break times except in major emergencies; rest periods after harrowing or tiring jobs; easier ability to take leave; better working hours for staff reserves; the ability to take secondary breaks as well as a main meal break.

Mr Parkinson said management had also agreed to pay £50 bonuses for staff working weekends.

They promised to recruit more staff in the long term to provide cover.

Steve Watt, director of ambulance and emergency operations in Lancashire, said: "Clearly I'm delighted it's a very positive outcome. We have made considerable progress and got a plan of action which we can now move through and implement, working closely with the team."

At a stormy open meeting two weeks ago, union members voted to ballot for strike action but union leaders decided to seek a proper mandate by writing to each member.

The responses they received were discussed at yesterday's meeting when the decision to accept the management deal was taken.