National Ambulance Service to ballot members on industrial action over pay dispute

Kenneth Fox

Trade union Unite, which represents members of the National Ambulance Service, said it is balloting them on industrial action in light of the ongoing failure to implement the 2020 ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’.

The qualifications, clinical responsibilities and operational duties of ambulance personnel have expanded significantly in recent years.

Despite the fact that the review recommended enhanced pay scales to reflect these changes, those pay adjustments have not been implemented. In addition, a 5 per cent increase recommended under the Benchmarking II process has not been delivered.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is scandalous that EMTs and paramedics who perform lifesaving services have been waiting for over five years for management to deliver on promised pay increases. Our members have now been left with no option but to ballot for action”.

"The decision to ballot for industrial action was taken following a meeting on 17th February at which the Health Service Executive failed to provide unions with a formal response to the position set out by Unite and SIPTU last November."

Meanwhile, Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “Resolution of this dispute lies squarely with the HSE. Management must deliver on the long-promised pay uplifts and engage constructively with the unions to bring this matter to an acceptable conclusion.”

The ballot will cover frontline ambulance grades and is expected to conclude in March.