AMBULANCE paramedics in north-west England are expected to walk out on strike today in a pay dispute that has dragged on for 13 years.

The strike, by members of general union GMB, is scheduled to begin at 6am and to last for 26 hours.

GMB represents about a quarter of the paramedics in the region, which covers Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester. Other unions are continuing to negotiate with North West Ambulance Service (NWAS).

GMB workers have staged six strikes over the issue, which involves a job evaluation by management that began in 2005 — but which has still not been completed.

GMB regional organiser Mike Buoey said: “I don’t think NWAS senior management team recognise the seriousness of this dispute or their actions as demand on the service intensifies this weekend.

“NWAS leadership will need to be held accountable for their actions in failing to settle an outstanding 13-year-long job evaluation issue.”