SIPTU representatives will attend a meeting at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) tomorrow morning (Friday, 5th August) in an attempt to resolve the dispute in the National Ambulance Service prior to the implementation of strike action on Wednesday, 10th August. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “SIPTU representatives accepted this invitation from the WRC after lengthy discussions today with Health Service Executive (HSE) management and Department of Health officials. Unfortunately, these discussions failed to result in a breakthrough on the key issues of concern to our members in this dispute, specifically the recruitment of Intermediate Care Vehicle personnel and emergency ambulance professionals. “With strike action by our members imminent it would seem that management is now focused on the issues in dispute. However, its lack of urgency up to this point has resulted in a lack confidence among our members that it is willing to deliver the solutions needed to avert the implementation of all-out strike action from next Wednesday.” He added: “SIPTU representatives will enter the talks in the WRC with a constructive attitude aimed at securing solutions to this dispute. However, there is still much to be agreed between our members and management if an all-out strike is to be averted.”
SIPTU accepts invitation to attend WRC in attempt to resolve ambulance dispute
