National Ambulance Service Paramedics undertook a country-wide 24-hour work stoppage on last week across the country.

SIPTU's Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley told The Hard Shoulder that he hoped labour courts would present recommendations "as soon as possible".

Trade unions SIPTU and UNITE have announced that the proposed 72-hour ambulance strike has been called off following negotiations in the labour court.

National Ambulance Service Paramedics undertook a country-wide 24-hour work stoppage on last week across the country.

Some 2,000 members of UNITE and SIPTU began industrial action from 8am, amid a bitter dispute with the Government over pay for ambulance staff. 

 Ambulance arrive outside Linster House. Photoby : Sam Boal.

SIPTU's Ambulance Sector Organiser, John McCamley told The Hard Shoulder that while no agreement was made, there was a period of time available for reflection instead of industrial action.

“At the end of a very long session on Thursday, our committee felt that enough progress had been made in the issues in dispute to call off the industrial action next week and allow the court time to prepare a recommendation”, he explained on Newstalk Friday.

Mr McCamley told host Shane Coleman he was hoping the labour court would come back with a recommendation “as soon as possible.”

“We’re open to assist if required”, he added. 

“I think they feel they have enough information now to prepare a recommendation for ourselves. 

“With any industrial relations process, there's always speed bumps along the way. 

“We are hopeful that obviously the recommendation will go a long way to end this long-running dispute that's lasted the last six years and we can at last get pay justice for our members.”

A patient sits on a hospital bed. Image by: Alamy

After the 2020 report on pay and other issues in the ambulance service, The HSE and the ambulance service came out with a pay increase based on the fact there's greater responsibility and the people involved in the ambulance service now as they are hugely well-trained.

They offered pay increases of between 3% and 14% last year, but did seek work changes from staff in return. 

Asked whether a possible agreement could be voted against by members, he said that members of trade unions have the final say.

Main Image: Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, County Derry.