SIPTU and Unite members employed by the National Ambulance Service are taking to the picket line this morning at ambulance bases across the Shannonside region. It's over a pay dispute, with union members saying Government commitments haven’t been followed through. This protest involves Unite and Siptu members working in the National Ambulance Service as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, advanced paramedics, paramedic specialists and paramedic supervisors. The industrial action and further strike action was agreed upon by the union members after a ballot last month.
Protests are taking place in Athlone, Carrick-on-Shannon, Roscommon and Longford as part of an escalating industrial dispute over staffing, working conditions and union-related issues. There are some of the approximately 2,000 members involved in the dispute. Among recommendations were enhanced pay scales to "reflect the growing professionalisation of the service", and a 5% increase under the Benchmarking II process. In addition to this morning's action, unions said there will be a 48-hour stoppage on 19 May and a 72-hour stoppage on 26 May, with further strike action planned for June.
