SIPTU members working for the National Ambulance Service (NAS) have been overwhelmed with the level of public support for their campaign of industrial action, which began on Monday (11th May) with work-to-rule measures and a 24-hour work stoppage on 12th May.
The industrial action involves approximately 2,000 SIPTU members, 90% of the NAS workers taking part, and arises from the HSE’s failure to implement the recommendations of an independent report on updating ambulance workers’ pay scales to reflect changes in their responsibilities and workloads over the last 20 years.
Further work stoppages are scheduled for 19th May and 26th May, with further action planned during June. The work-to-rule will involve members strictly adhering to their contractual obligations and refusing to cooperate with new procedures or changes.
SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley, said: “The dispute involves SIPTU members working as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, advanced paramedics, specialist paramedics and paramedic supervisors. SIPTU represents around 90% of the NAS personnel who are participating in the industrial action.
“Over the years, ambulance personnel have implemented changes within the service, seeing the model move away from patient transport to a higher level of pre-hospital care and treatment. The number of operational practice guidelines for dealing with different incidents has increased dramatically over the years, including the need for additional training and qualifications.”
SIPTU Shop Steward and Paramedic Orla Considine, said: “The public support for our pickets on 12th May was overwhelmingly. People came up to us to voice their support and car horns were constantly honking. The public knows who is in the right here its time the Government paid attention.”
UPDATE: SIPTU agreed to stand down a planned strike by members of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) following constructive discussions with the HSE at the Labour Court on Thursday (21st May).
Following three days of talks between SIPTU, UNITE and union representatives, the Labour Court requested that the industrial action and the work-to-rule be stood down to allow the process to conclude.
“While this engagement was difficult and challenging at times, we believe that significant progress has been made,” Ambulance Sector Organiser John McCamley said on Thursday (21st May).
“We remain in process, but the Labour Court has requested more time to deliberate on some of the issues in dispute.”