SIPTU ambulance workers vote overwhelmingly for strike

Members of Ireland's largest trade union in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) have voted overwhelmingly for strike action. 

Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) members have voted to strike in a dispute resulting from what they describe as "the failure of management" to fully implement the recommendations of a report on the reform and modernisation of the service. 

The Review of Roles and Responsibilities report was jointly commissioned by the NAS, SIPTU and the HSE in 2018. 

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ted Kenny, confirmed the ballot (counted on Friday, May 5) returned a result of more than 95% in favour of strike action. 

"This huge vote in favour of taking action demonstrates our members’ determination to ensure their employer honours its agreement in full when it comes to implementing widespread reform at the NAS.

"Our members have fully co-operated with a plan drawn up by management to develop the service and they expect commitments concerning new grades and pay scales, which were made to them, to be met. It is the function of management to secure the necessary funding to deliver the agreed vision for the service. This includes any payments arising to staff as part of their overall restructuring plan.”

"We have advised NAS management of the outcome of our ballot. The exact date and nature of the industrial action that will now be taken will be finalised in consultation with our members," he said.

Ambulance personnel are also represented by the National Ambulance Service Representative Association.