Unite, which represents members working for the National Ambulance Service (NAS), today (Sunday) announced that it will be balloting members nationwide for industrial action following the unilateral decision to outsource inter-hospital ambulance transfers in the Greater Dublin area to a private operator.

 Earlier this week it emerged that NAS management had initiated a tendering process without consulting the relevant unions. This follows recent proposals, rejected by unions, to reduce minimum paramedic crewing levels in emergency ambulances.

 Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

 “Unite members will not tolerate any threat to patient safety or workers’ terms and conditions in order to plug staffing gaps. Our members will have Unite’s full support as they fight to defend vital ambulance services.”

 Unite has stressed that the unilateral decision to outsource services to the private operator is also in breach of the Public Service Agreement.

 Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said:

 “Unions have been left with no option but to ballot for industrial action. The responsibility now rests squarely with the Department of Health and the HSE to provide the NAS with the resources it needs to guarantee patient safety. Unless the outsourcing proposal is withdrawn immediately, our members will be compelled to escalate this dispute.”