Ambulance workers in Kilkenny and nationwide prepare for 24-hour strike tomorrow
Ambulances for Kilkenny and the wider region have their base at Kilcreene Hospital with a picket to take place there
Ambulance workers in Kilkenny and across the country are preparing for industrial action tomorrow as a 24-hour strike is set to take place in protest against the HSE’s failure to implement new pay scales recommended in a 2020 review.
Members of the SIPTU and Unite unions say that the qualifications, clinical responsibilities and operational duties of ambulance personnel have expanded significantly in recent years but the increased professionalism of the job has not been reflected in pay.
Union members engaged in a work-to-rule today and further strikes are planned for May 19 and 26 and also in June if the dispute cannot be resolved.
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The HSE has warned that delays will occur in the Ambulance Service responding to non-life threatening calls but that a contingency plan is in place to mitigate disruption.
Speaking about the action, SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley said: “Over the years, ambulance personnel have implemented changes within the service, seeing the model move away from patient transport to a higher level of pre-hospital care and treatment.”
Since 2011, EMTs and paramedics have increased their responsibility for administering various medications by 89% and 83% respectively.”
All we are asking is that, like other health professionals, their training and qualifications are respected and recognised in an appropriate pay and grading structure which takes account of the major workplace changes which have taken place over the last 20 years,” he added.