SIR – Anyone who has had to call an ambulance in an emergency knows how good those calm and reassuring paramedics are, and how skillful the drivers have to be.

But it seems inconceivable to most that such people should even consider strike action which can only put lives at risk.

However, the Union ballot tell a familiar story of how a few activists whipped up into a frenzy of imaginary indignation by full-time officials have carried the more moderate members with them almost past the point of no return.

Ending union recognition is nothing new, it happened in printing decades ago, and if the Government has any sense, it will extend this eventually right across the public sector, including local authorities because the continued confrontational attitudes are out of date, and will hamper this country’s economy.

The public sector today has unrivalled job security, terms and conditions of employment and best of all – guaranteed pensions. Instead of wasting money on union subs, is it not better for workers to put it in an ISA?

D S Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds