On Tuesday, 20th of August, Hato Hone St John reminded the Public to save 111 phone calls for absolutely life-threatening emergencies when strike action took place.

Members from the New Zealand Ambulance Association and First Union agreed to miss the first four hours of their shift from Tuesday 4 am until Wednesday 4 am.

This is the first time the associations have escalated to a labour withdrawal from the frontline.

The most critical times are often between 6 am and 10 am and 6 pm and 10 pm.

Those times are when 75 per cent are rostered to work.

This strike came after little progress had been made following negotiations with ACC and Health New Zealand.

After 19 months, negotiations broke down after unions still demanded improved offers.

The hope of this strike is that a recommendation will be made to parliamentary ministers, allowing more money for the ambulance service to increase the compensation of St John’s staff.

Ambulance Association secretary Mark Quin notes this is “not a new issue but it's just come to the point now where staff have had enough.”

The parties involved are not due to meet again until the end of the month.

Following this strike, a second industrial action planned for Saturday, beginning at 4 am, will still go as planned.