UNIONS representing ambulance workers are to return to the Labour Court today in a final bid to resolve disputes over pay parity ahead of next week’s planned three-day strike action.
If no resolution is reached, hundreds of workers from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in Donegal will begin a 72-hour stoppage on Tuesday, May 26.
A planned strike on Tuesday of this week was called off as both sides entered negotiations, following a 24-hour work stoppage last week.
Staff across the county have also been engaged in a work-to-rule as the dispute continues. This involves non-cooperation with new procedures or changes.
Members of the Irish Ambulance Representative Council, comprising representatives from SIPTU and UNITE, have agreed to attend today’s meeting.
SIPTU, which represents 95 per cent of NAS staff in Donegal, says the HSE has failed to implement the findings of an independent report recommending updated salary scales to reflect changes in staff responsibilities and workload over the past 20 years.
Union representatives are seeking the implementation of the recommendations without preconditions. They argue proposed changes could reduce the number of trained paramedics on a crew and, because of changes to overtime arrangements, could also reduce some workers’ pay.
SIPTU health division organiser Ciaran Sheridan.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Ciaran Sheridan, who is involved in the dispute at a national level, spoke to the Donegal News yesterday.
“Following difficult and challenging discussions at the Labour Court, we still haven’t reached a settlement in the dispute.
“In parallel, we are also requesting meetings with management and our local strike committees to prepare for the 72 hour stoppage next week,” he explained.
Meanwhile, SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley, thanked those attended the Labour Court in recent days.
“I share their disappointment that more progress has not been made, but union representatives want to make sure they get the best possible deal on offer.”