Ambulance workers look set to go on strike next week if last-minute talks do not break the deadlock between the two sides.

Unions representing staff at the National Ambulance Service are meeting with the HSE and Department of Health today.

The talks are aimed at averting strike action planned for next Wednesday.

SIPTU said the dispute was over management’s failure to implement Labour Court recommendations on pay and compensation.

The industrial action will affect all grades of workers. However, if the strike goes ahead, contingency measures will be put in place.

SIPTU’s Health Division Organiser Paul Bell said workers have been waiting for too long for compensation packages due to them.

“In a three-year period, there’s been a failure to compensate our members for loss of earnings due to critical changes that had to be made in the service,” he said.