Thanks Wopit, I didn't know about the disputes, but it explains a lot. If the keen volunteers were effectvely crossing picket lines, I'm not surprised the professionals got wound up - I know I would. Most of my fellow members know that what we in the VAS do best is support the statutory services when events need a level of medical provision that goes above the usual levels required - such as the LAS operations at Live8 and the London bombings last week, both of which St. John Ambulance played a part in. I'm hoping to reach AA2 level in the next few years (the highest level you can currently reach in SJA, also known as "accident and emergency technician") but I know I couldn't handle the rotating shift patterns and constant psychological assault that faces paramedics & technicians as they do their job, which is why ambulance work remains, for me, a 'hobby' A little more respect from both the volunteers and the professionals for their counterparts would go a long way - the VAS allowing professionals to protest when they deserve better working conditions, and the statutory services realising that although we may lack hands-on experience, and only drive shiny white vans at the weekends, our level of commitment to patient care is no less than theirs - can't we all just get along?