Tipperary ambulance workers to begin industrial action

Ambulance workers in north Tipperary will begin industrial action from midnight tonight in a row regarding rostering.

More than 25 emergency technicians based in Nenagh, Roscrea and Thurles will refuse to perform non-emergency duties such as hospital to hospital transfers.

The workers are unhappy with the HSE's attempts to bring in a system whereby two paramedics would be on standby from their homes, instead of having a single paramedic on standby in an ambulance station.

“From midnight tonight all members are withdrawing their labour - they are providing emergency cover for 999 calls given the nature of the service,” local SIPTU official Ger Kennedy said.

“They're dedicated professionals in that regard and they don't want to put the public at risk.”