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26/02/2008
Pressure On HSE Grows As 999 Service Threatened
Emergency services throughout Ireland could be severely affected if anticipated strike action by ambulance staff goes ahead.
Over 1,200 Health Service Executive (HSE) employees have voted in support of industrial action over proposals to privatise the paramedic sector.
Although the ‘Yes’ vote was confirmed yesterday no action is due to be taken for at least a month and according to the health workers union, SIPTU, an emergency 'skeleton cover' staff would remain in place during any industrial action.
Plans to privatise aspects of the paramedic and ambulance sector came to light at Christmas.
The union claims the HSE awarded contracts to three private ambulance providers for work, which would normally be conducted in-house by SIPTU paramedics.
However, the HSE’s rebuttal said any suggestion that it intended to privatise the national ambulance service is "mischievous and untrue", and reaffirmed its commitment to the development and expansion of the service.
The HSE said it is willing to continue discussions with the trade union about the dispute.
The controversy is only one of a number of disputes the HSE has been involved in regarding its employment policy.
The Irish Labour Court ruled yesterday the HSE breached the terms of the national agreement, Towards 2016, due to the way it introduced a recruitment freeze last year.
The HSE introduced a recruitment ban last September as part of its "Financial Break-Even Plan" to deal with a €200 million financial overrun.
The freeze was then lifted - on January 1st - before Impact, SIPTU, and a number of other unions submitted a joint complaint to the Labour Court.
(DW)
Over 1,200 Health Service Executive (HSE) employees have voted in support of industrial action over proposals to privatise the paramedic sector.
Although the ‘Yes’ vote was confirmed yesterday no action is due to be taken for at least a month and according to the health workers union, SIPTU, an emergency 'skeleton cover' staff would remain in place during any industrial action.
Plans to privatise aspects of the paramedic and ambulance sector came to light at Christmas.
The union claims the HSE awarded contracts to three private ambulance providers for work, which would normally be conducted in-house by SIPTU paramedics.
However, the HSE’s rebuttal said any suggestion that it intended to privatise the national ambulance service is "mischievous and untrue", and reaffirmed its commitment to the development and expansion of the service.
The HSE said it is willing to continue discussions with the trade union about the dispute.
The controversy is only one of a number of disputes the HSE has been involved in regarding its employment policy.
The Irish Labour Court ruled yesterday the HSE breached the terms of the national agreement, Towards 2016, due to the way it introduced a recruitment freeze last year.
The HSE introduced a recruitment ban last September as part of its "Financial Break-Even Plan" to deal with a €200 million financial overrun.
The freeze was then lifted - on January 1st - before Impact, SIPTU, and a number of other unions submitted a joint complaint to the Labour Court.
(DW)
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Ambulance Staff To Ballot Over 'Privatisation'
A leading trade union is to ballot its 1,200 emergency ambulance personnel for industrial action. SIPTU is taking the action after the HSE awarded contracts to three companies for the provision of a private ambulance service.
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03 February 2014
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28 June 2016
92% Of SIPTU Members At National Ambulance Service Vote For Industrial Action
SIPTU members in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) have voted with a 92% majority for industrial action in a dispute over conditions of employment. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said: "Unfortunately, our members have no option but to implement a campaign of industrial action.
92% Of SIPTU Members At National Ambulance Service Vote For Industrial Action
SIPTU members in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) have voted with a 92% majority for industrial action in a dispute over conditions of employment. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said: "Unfortunately, our members have no option but to implement a campaign of industrial action.
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Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with a few showers at times. Becoming dry in the afternoon and staying mainly cloudy, but some sunshine breaking through particularly in the east. Maximum temperature 16 °C.Tonight:Quite cloudy across all counties at first but clear spells most likely towards Down and Antrim, becoming widespread through the evening and overnight. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
