Strike action set for Tuesday 12 May

Workers wait over six years for recognition of enhanced qualifications and responsibilities

Resolution of dispute in management’s hands

May 9th: Trade union Unite, which represents members working for the National Ambulance Service (NAS), said today (Saturday) that a work-to-rule will begin on Monday 11 May, followed by a 24-hour stoppage on Tuesday 12 May. Further stoppages are scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

Last month, Unite and Siptu members voted overwhelmingly for industrial action due to management’s ongoing failure to implement the 2020 ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’.

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 the growing professionalisation of the service, those recommendations have not been implemented.

In addition, a five per cent increase recommended under the Benchmarking II process has not been delivered.

Unite general secretary Sharon Gaham said: “It is scandalous that these frontline workers have been waiting for six years for their skills and expertise to be recognised. They have Unite’s full support in their fight for decent pay and respect”.

The dispute involves Unite and Siptu members working in the NAS as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, advanced paramedics, paramedic specialists and paramedic supervisors.

Regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “Resolution of this dispute is in the hands of management.  If the HSE wants to avoid the inevitable disruption to ambulance services, they must commit to immediate and unconditional implementation of the recommendations of the 2020 review.”