there was no dispute with St Johns Ambulance in the late 80's per say, there was however an ambulance dispute... besides the military, and the police doing the job, St Johns were, as they say, scabs (strike breakers to our overseas "listeners") the strike was great, coz, as far as i remember they never actually went on strike, they just never said they would respond to a call, and then they turn out anyway :) ambulance control however, couldn't take the risk they would/ wouldn't turn out, so had to send anyway, police transit vans or military ambulance with police escorts, to the job, only to find out half the time the proper ambulance had been and gone......with the patient. it was a great game of cat and mouse i remember being put an standby to support the military, i was servicng at the time. thats my recollection of events, someone may have a better recollection than me