Unite slams six-year delay in implementing ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’ recommendations

Management must ditch piecemeal approach and address all outstanding issues

Trade union Unite, which represents members working for the National Ambulance Service (NAS), today (Wednesday) welcomed confirmation by NAS management yesterday that Year 3 graduate paramedics will be offered permanent appointments and that management will adhere to the previously agreed transfer policy. This decision follows engagement with management by the Irish Ambulance Representative Council comprising Unite and Siptu.

Notwithstanding progress on the appointment and transfer issues, however, Unite said that it is continuing to ballot members for industrial action on foot of the ongoing failure to implement the 2020 ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’. The ballot is set to conclude at the end of March.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“Given the staffing crisis in the NAS, it beggars belief that management had to have their feet held to the fire before agreeing to offer permanent appointments to graduate paramedics, and that they are still refusing to implement recommended pay increases. Our members have been left with no option but to ballot for industrial action.” 

The qualifications, clinical responsibilities and operational duties of ambulance personnel have expanded significantly in recent years. Despite the fact that the ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’ recommended enhanced pay scales to reflect these changes, those pay adjustments have not been implemented. In addition, a 5 per cent increase recommended under the Benchmarking II process has not been delivered.

Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said:

“Rather than coming to the table at the last minute when they can no longer ignore an issue, it’s time for NAS management to ditch its piecemeal approach to industrial relations and sit down with unions to resolve all outstanding matters. Ambulance workers and the public deserve nothing less.”