National Ambulance Service Workers Begin Work-to-Rule, 24-Hour Strike Over 2020 Review
Approximately 2,000 National Ambulance Service workers, members of Unite and Siptu, will begin work-to-rule action Monday and a 24-hour strike Tuesday. This action is in response to management's failure to implement 2020 review recommendations for enhanced pay and professional recognition, which unions say is long overdue.
Members of the Unite and Siptu trade unions working for the National Ambulance Service (NAS) will commence work-to-rule industrial action on Monday, followed by a 24-hour strike on Tuesday. Approximately 2,000 members are involved in this dispute, encompassing emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, advanced paramedics, paramedic specialists, and paramedic supervisors.
The industrial action, including the strike, was approved by union members through a ballot last month. This decision stems from the NAS management’s continued failure to implement recommendations from a 2020 review. Key recommendations included enhanced pay scales to acknowledge the increasing professionalization of the service and a 5% pay increase under the Benchmarking II process.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, criticized the situation, stating, «It is scandalous that these frontline workers have been waiting for six years for their skills and expertise to be recognised.» She affirmed the union's full support for its members' pursuit of fair pay and respect. Regional Officer Eoin Drummey emphasized that the resolution of the dispute rests with management.
Drummey urged, «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.»