Local ambulance workers to join 24-hour strike action over pay and workloads tomorrow

Local ambulance workers are among SIPTU and Unite members of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) began a campaign of industrial action today (Monday, May 11), with work-to-rule measures implemented across the country ahead of a planned 24-hour work stoppage tomorrow (Tuesday, May 12).

The work-to-rule will involve members strictly adhering to their contractual obligations and refusing to cooperate with new procedures or changes.

Tomorrow’s strike action will involve emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, advanced paramedics, paramedic specialists and paramedic supervisors nationwide, including local ambulance personnel.

Further strike action is planned for May 19 and May 26, with additional industrial action expected in June.

Union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action last month, citing what they described as management’s ongoing failure to implement the recommendations of the 2020 “Roles and Responsibilities Review”.

The dispute centres on the HSE’s failure to introduce updated pay scales recommended in an independent review, which examined how ambulance workers’ duties and clinical responsibilities have expanded over the past two decades.

SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser John McCamley said the ambulance service has evolved significantly in recent years.

“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,” he said.

“Since 2011, EMTs and paramedics have increased their responsibility for administering various medications by 89% and 83% respectively. All we are asking is that, like other health professionals, their training and qualifications are respected and recognised in an appropriate pay and grading structure.”

The unions say ambulance personnel now carry out far more advanced clinical and operational duties than in the past, but that these changes have not been reflected in pay or grading structures.

They also claim a separate five per cent pay increase recommended under the Benchmarking II process has yet to be implemented.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said ambulance workers had waited too long for recognition.

“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,” she said.

Unite Regional Officer Eoin Drummey said the HSE could avoid further disruption by committing to the recommendations of the 2020 review without conditions.

Athlone-based Advanced Paramedic Gerry Glynn also called on local councillors and TDs to support efforts to bring the dispute to a resolution.

“Our members have played a central role in transforming the ambulance service into a modern pre-hospital emergency care service, yet many feel that these changes and responsibilities have not been fairly recognised or reflected in pay structures,” he said.

He added that emergency contingency arrangements would remain in place during the industrial action to protect public safety, although services would be reduced.

“As frontline staff we appreciate that this will negatively impact emergency cover in the areas you serve in what is already a stretched and under-resourced service,” he said.

Both SIPTU and Unite are calling on the HSE to implement the recommendations of the independent report “without preconditions” and introduce enhanced pay scales that reflect the level of training and responsibility now required of ambulance personnel.