I have tried rocking the handle to remove it with no luck. I tried pliers did not work.
I tried putting a screwdriver into the head and hitting with a rubber mallet but the handle won't budge. I even gave it a shot of WD40 .
Any other suggestions greatly appreciated - I hate to have to call a plumber just to replace a couple of washers.

Hi Mobychick

If removing the handle with household tools won't work then go out to a local home improvement store and purchase a HANDLE PULLER... see image. This should do the job for you... ;)

Remove the screw from the handle and insert the "tip" of the puller into the screw hole of the handle and then turn the T-handle of the puller until the bent arms fall into place behind the handle. Finally, with the bent arms tightly against the handle spin the T-handle to pull the old handle off. It's what a plumber would do next...

Mark