Over 2,000 SIPTU members of the National Ambulance Service began a 24-hour work stoppage today.
The action 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.
A protest is underway outside Cavan General Hospital today.
Paul Mulholland, a local paramedic says this has come about because they haven’t been listened to.
He says they were promised more money for all the extra work they have taken on over the years and that has not come to fruition.
Paul says no of them want to be on a picket line, they want to do what the do on a daily basis and that is to help people, “we have been left with no choice and we have been backed in to a corner.”
He says their message is simple, “talk to us”.
Senator Pauline Tully says they have been left with no other choice put go on strike and she says the government needs to react and react fast to this situation that should never have got to this stage. She says dialogue is needed and needed today.
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.
“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 which takes account of the major workplace changes which have taken place over the last 20 years.”
John McCamley added: “SIPTU members have been left with no option but to issue a strike notice due to this long-running dispute.
