SIPTU and Unite have called off a planned 72-hour strike involving National Ambulance Service staff that had been scheduled for next week after what both unions described as productive discussions with the HSE at the Labour Court.
The Labour Court requested that both the planned industrial action and the ongoing work-to-rule be suspended while efforts continue to resolve the dispute. The work-to-rule action, which began on 11 May, ended at midday today.
SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser John McCamley said negotiations had been difficult at times but noted that “significant progress” had been achieved during the talks.
“We remain in process, but the Labour Court has requested additional time to consider several of the outstanding issues,” he said. “We are hopeful this process can finally bring this longstanding dispute to a resolution.”
Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said the unions agreed to suspend the action in good faith to give negotiations the best possible chance of succeeding.
Last week, frontline ambulance workers staged a 24-hour strike that the HSE said caused major disruption to services. A separate 48-hour strike planned for this week was also postponed to facilitate Labour Court discussions.
The dispute centres on claims by unions that the HSE has failed to implement recommendations from an independent report calling for updated pay scales to reflect increased responsibilities and workloads for ambulance personnel.
The HSE has argued that earlier proposals aimed at resolving the dispute, including pay rises, were rejected by unions. However, union representatives said those proposals included unacceptable conditions, such as changes to staff allowances.
In a statement, the HSE welcomed the decision to suspend the industrial action.
“The HSE has engaged extensively over the past week in intensive and constructive discussions under the guidance of the Labour Court, and we appreciate the unions’ cooperation in reaching this point,” a spokesperson said.
The HSE added that it now looks forward to the Labour Court’s recommendations and hopes the matter can be resolved through established industrial relations procedures.
