CRISIS talks between Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) and Unison are set to continue for a third week following a ballot for industrial action.

A meeting between representatives of both parties met at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) offices in Bristol for the second time on Friday, but again no resolution was reached.

The talks come following a ballot of 600 Unison members on whether they wanted to take industrial action and 96 per cent voted in favour. Staff are unhappy over a change in shift patterns. The changes include different start times – in Wiltshire most 12-hour shifts were 7am to 7pm or 7pm to 7am, but now start times range between 5am and 9am, or 5pm and 9pm.

The changes came into force in November following a six-month consultation process with staff.

A spokesman for GWAS said: “The meeting ran until around 7.45pm on Friday and there were no new outcomes.

“Negotiations are still continuing and both parties remain hopeful that an amicable outcome will be reached.

“There is no date set for the next meeting but clearly we are in regular conversation.”

Speaking after last week’s unsuccessful negotiations, Simon Newell, Unison’s regional organiser, said: “Some progress has been made, but there is still a some way to go so discussions will continue.”