AMBULANCE drivers embroiled in a bitter pay row with their employer have been invited to talk with bosses.

Two executives from Parkwood Healthcare have agreed to meet the 90 staff at their Burslem depot this week as the unrest enters its 15th month.

The meeting comes as bosses stressed their determination to settle the dispute. It broke out because staff are on different rates of pay for the same job.

They also thanked the workers and praised their professionalism during the row.

The breakthrough follows a meeting of union members at the Sneyd Arms pub, Tunstall, on Thursday night.

Staff say Parkwood pays less to recruits than it does to those who transferred to the firm when it won the contract from Staffordshire ambulance service to ferry 500 people a day to non-emergency hospital appointments.

Leaders from Unison say the two-tier system breaks the firm's contract with the NHS in North Staffordshire. ACAS has been called in following intervention from a Government Health Minister.

Lawyers from the University Hospital of North Staffordshire have even written to the company seeking its intentions.

But Parkwood officials today told The Sentinel there were 'many rumours and pieces of misinformation' circulating over workers' terms and conditions. They also say progress is being hampered because discussions are at such a formal stage.

A company spokesman said: "We are aware of the commitment shown to the provision of the service to the community by workers during 2008.

"The current situation is complex and I am sure it comes as no surprise when we say that parties are partially talking through legal advisers.

"Regrettably, with discussions not of an informal nature, it is unusual for constructive progress to be achieved easily or quickly between all the parties.

"But we want to assure workers that we are committed to resolving matters and have been having our own discussions and looking at the issues."

The meeting between Parkwood's general manager and human resources director and staff takes place at the firm's depot on Sneyd industrial estate on Wednesday.

Unison officials were unavailable for comment.