A CRUNCH meeting between ambulance drivers and bosses of a private firm has failed to break the deadlock on a bitter row over a two-tier pay structure.

Two executives from Parkwood Healthcare addressed a mass meeting of the 90-strong workforce which ferries 500 North Staffordshire patients to hospital appointments every day.

But their invitation to the drivers to form themselves into a small group which the company would then be willing to negotiate with was not accepted.

Arbitration agency ACAS has already been called into the dispute following intervention by a Government minister and officials from health union Unison claimed the new management offer was an attempt to subvert that process.

Ray Salmon, Unison regional officer, said: "We have justice, common sense and the law on our side and that is why the company are desperately trying to avoid arbitration which we are sure will find in our favour.

"I was not allowed to attend the meeting but my members there told me that Parkwood wanted to negotiate with a small group from the staff.

"But after all that has happened the staff don't believe anything they are told so they have asked the company to confirm their position in writing.

"I am told the tone of the meeting was to let arbitration carry on and we are now looking for the local NHS to remind Parkwood of their legal obligations."

The 14-month dispute, which led to a fortnight's work-to-rule last winter.