AMBULANCE workers have called off a strike due to start today (August 31), after last-minute talks with the South London Healthcare Trust (SLHT).

The trust has negotiated a new contract for the work with the private company Savoy Ventures Ltd.

And the London Ambulance Service (LAS) workers, who are responsible for the transport of non-urgent patients to hospital appointments, were due to transfer to their new employers on September 1.

Following claims the company intended to downgrade the 60-plus workers’ pay and conditions, the GMB union which represents the majority of the affected workers, won strong backing for the strike.

But emergency talks were held between the trust and the GMB last Thursday, when a compromise was reached.

The GMB says the trust has agreed to put back its decision on the contract until its next board meeting on September 29.

As a result this week’s strike action and mass protest has been put on hold.

A spokesman for the trust said: "It was a productive meeting and we made clear we were ensuring the trust's obligations towards the LAS drivers are being met."

Savoy Ventures denies it told workers and union officials it would not be keeping to the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) regulations.

It also denies workers’ salaries could be lowered to those of the company’s existing employees and tthat shift patterns would be altered.

But it admits the workers’ final salary pension scheme and London weighting allowance would change.

The trust has confirmed the contract with Savoy Ventures has not yet been signed, and that although the company remains the preferred bidder, the trust would be able to sign up with another company.

The workers affected will continue to be employed by the LAS until the issue is resolved, and in the meantime, patient transport will not be affected.