Ambulance Service crews protesting around the country

Over 2,000 staff employed with the National Ambulance Service have begun a 24-hour strike regarding a pay dispute.

The protest began at 8am this morning, and pickets will be located at or near ambulance bases around the country.

Due to the protest, the HSE have warned of significant disruption to services along with delays in response time for ambulances.

The protest will mainly involve workers at the National Ambulance Service who are members of Unite and SIPTU Unions.

Announcing the protest on their website, Sharon Graham of Unite the Union said: “Management have left our members with no option but to take action to secure long-overdue recognition and pay commensurate with their skills and expertise. They have Unite’s full support in this fight.”

Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “The HSE can resolve this dispute by agreeing to implement the 2020 Review immediately and without preconditions.

“Our members would prefer to be on the frontline saving lives, but they have been forced onto the picket line to demand that the vital work they do serving communities across Ireland is finally recognised.”

SIPTU also announced the protest via their website, with SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser John McCamley outlining their stance on the action.

“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 concluded: “SIPTU members have been left with no option but to issue a strike notice due to this long-running dispute.

“The overwhelming mandate from our members for industrial action up to and including strike action is an indication of the depth of feeling within the service and the belief that their sacrifice and commitment over the last 20 years to the professionalisation and modernisation of the service have been forgotten about by the HSE.

“We call on the HSE to implement the recommendations of the independent report without preconditions and to introduce enhanced pay scales which properly recognise the training and professional level at which our members now carry out their duties daily.”