Labour Court recommends pay rises for paramedics and ambulance staff

Paramedics Aileen McClean (left) and Loughran on the picket line outside Dundalk Ambulance Station as members of Siptu and Unite union paramedics in the National Ambulance Service go on strike. Picture: PA

Pay rises recommended for paramedics and other ambulance staff by the Labour Court are “a major breakthrough”, unions have said.

The proposals will be voted on by members, with both unions involved — Siptu and Unite — recommending acceptance of the deal.

Talks resumed between Siptu, Unite and the State after industrial action was taken by paramedics last month.

This followed the rejection in September of HSE pay improvements by staff who feel that changes in their roles have not been recognised by the HSE.

The recommendation includes pay increases for emergency medical technicians, paramedics, specialist paramedics and paramedic supervisors.

It also protects the majority of existing terms and conditions of ambulance personnel, according to Siptu.

Siptu sector organiser John McCamley welcomed the resolution.

“This recommendation represents the culmination of a long process which now recognises the upskilling, changes and workload undertaken by union members over the last 15 to 20 years,” he said.

“It is a vindication of our members' determination to seek pay justice and respect from the HSE.”

About 90% of the National Ambulance Service personnel affected are Siptu members.

The union pointed to “the HSE’s failure to implement the recommendations of the independent McHugh/Crabtree report” as a key issue.

That report, also known as the Roles and Responsibilities Review, dates back to 2020 and focused on how responsibilities and workloads have changed within the sector over the last 20 years.

This Labour Court recommendation follows four days of talks, with discussions focused on those changes, including the required upskilling.

Unite, which also represents ambulance staff across Ireland, described the recommendations as “a pathway towards resolving” the dispute.

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “The progress made in the Labour Court is a vindication of our members’ decision to take industrial action in pursuit of recognition and pay justice, and again shows what can be achieved through collective action and strong union organisation.” 

The Irish Ambulance Representative Council, which has members from Siptu and Unite, is recommending acceptance when the proposals go to a ballot.

Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “As well as ensuring that pay properly reflects ambulance workers’ skills and expertise, these recommendations largely safeguard our members’ terms and conditions.

“The Labour Court proposals offer a pathway forward and will now go to a ballot of members.”