SIPTU members overwhelmingly accepted Labour Court proposals today (Friday, 17th July) resolving a six-year dispute over pay rates in the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
98% of members voted in favour of the Labour Court recommendation.
In accepting the proposals, ambulance personnel working as Emergency Medical Technicians, Paramedics, Advanced Paramedics and Paramedic Supervisors will see significant pay rises.
In May, around 2000 frontline ambulance personnel went on a 24-hour strike following the HSE’s failure to implement the recommendations of an independent report on updating salary scales to reflect changes in responsibilities and workload.
SIPTU represents around 90% of the ambulance personnel that took strike action.
Following intensive talks at the Labour Court, the proposals were put to SIPTU members, who were then balloted on them. The proposals include pay rises of up to 23% for paramedics and 20% for Medical Emergency Technicians, as well as pay rises for other grades involved.
SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley said: “We welcome the overwhelming decision of SIPTU members working in the National Ambulance Service in accepting these proposals.
“The result indicates that the Labour Court recommendation definitely addressed the issues at the heart of this dispute.
“These proposals will see our members receive the recognition and respect that they deserve by bringing them in line with other health professionals.”
He added: “It is deeply regrettable that SIPTU members had to take industrial action to resolve this long-standing dispute.
“Ambulance personnel want to serve the public and carry out their duties. We hope that industrial relations within the National Ambulance Service will now improve and that such actions are not necessary in the future.
“I’d like to extend my gratitude to all ambulance personnel for their determination and fortitude in achieving this seismic achievement and bringing this dispute to a successful conclusion.”