More talks planned in bid to avert ambulance strike

SIPTU officials are due to meet HSE management today in a renewed effort to avert planned strike action by ambulance personnel.

The drivers are threatening the action following a recent decision by the HSE to sign contracts for some services with private ambulance operators.

SIPTU says the move is a step towards the full privatisation of public ambulance services and a breach of agreements with trade unions.

The HSE, however, says it is not planning to privatise the ambulance service and has pointed out that a number of former health boards had contracts with private operators.