Paramedic unions to attend Labour Court talks as further strike action planned

Members of Siptu and Unite unions on the picket line outside National Ambulance Service (Dublin South Central) depot at Davitt Road in Dublin, as paramedics go on strike. Picture: PA

Unions representing paramedics have been invited to talks before the Labour Court on Thursday. However, plans for a two-day strike next week remain in place for now.

Around 2,000 members of Siptu and Unite picketed around the country on Tuesday for 24 hours in an ongoing pay dispute.

The dispute follows frustration that recommendations made in a 2020 review of paramedics’ jobs and responsibilities have not been implemented.

A work-to-rule, which began on Monday, also continues, meaning emergency staff are currently working only their contracted hours.

Eoin Drummey, a regional officer for Unite based in Waterford, said the invitation appears to be for a scoping exercise.

“We will be there to see what we can achieve,” he told the Irish Examiner on Wednesday.

Further strike action planned

Mr Drummey confirmed that plans for a 46-hour stoppage next week and a 72-hour stoppage the following week remain in place.

“I think the strike action from a national perspective for both unions was very well supported,” he said.

“Ultimately the public are well and truly on our side for this one.” 

He noted that emergency contingency plans put in place during the industrial action ensured hospitals and other healthcare facilities continued to receive support during the 24-hour strike.

It is understood Siptu will also attend the talks and views them as exploratory discussions.

The HSE has been approached for comment on whether it will also attend the Labour Court talks.

Nationwide pickets held 

Pickets were staged from 8am on Tuesday until 8am on Wednesday at locations around the country, including near ambulance bases such as the Kinsale Road roundabout in Cork.

Union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action last month after rejecting pay improvement proposals put forward by the HSE last year.

The HSE said on Tuesday evening that the strike had caused “significant impact”, including delays in answering calls because of lower-than-usual staffing levels.