Talks under way in final bid to halt three-day ambulance strike next week

Last-ditch talks resumed at 11.15am to resolve a pay dispute at the Labour Court and halt a three-day ambulance strike next week. A one-day strike on May 12 disrupted national ambulance services, with patients in Dublin relying on Dublin fire brigade ambulances and those traveling long distances facing particular vulnerability. Work-to-rule industrial action continues. Union representatives agreed to attend the Labour Court talks, but no settlement has been reached. Efforts focus on non-implementation of an independent report from 2020 that recommended enhanced pay scales. Enhanced pay scales are largely agreed, but progress stalled over a management plan to consolidate extra payments into pay and pursue modernisation reforms. The HSE reports significant pressure on services and longer response times, with contingency plans prioritising emergencies while 999 and 112 services remain available.

"Discussions resumed at 11.15am to resolve the pay row at the Labour Court. The talks come after a one-day strike that disrupted national ambulance services on May 12. Work-to-rule industrial action is ongoing. In a message to members following talks earlier this week, Siptu said the parties have still not reached a settlement. It said they were trying to reach a deal on the non-implementation of an independent report in 2020 that recommended enhanced pay scales."

"Members of the Irish Ambulance Representative Council, made up of Siptu and Unite representatives, agreed to attend today's Labour Court talks. "I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the representatives who attended the Labour Court over the last two long days," said John McCamley, Siptu ambulance sector organiser. "I share their disappointment that more progress has not been made, but union representatives want to make sure they get the best possible deal on offer"."

"Patients in Dublin were reliant on Dublin fire brigade ambulances during the one-day stoppage on May 12. Those facing long journeys to hospitals in other counties were particularly vulnerable. A HSE spokesperson said there was significant pressure on services and longer ambulance response times due to a reduction in the number of crew available. Contingency plans meant that patients involved in emergencies were given priority. The 999 and 112 emergency phone services continued."

"It is understood that enhanced pay scales have been largely agreed by the parties. However, a management plan to consolidate extra payments made to paramedics and emergency medical technicians, into their pay and request for modernisation reforms halted progress at talks. The additional pay"

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