28/03/2008

Ambulance Worker Strike Ended

Following discussions lasting into the early hours of Thursday night, a deal has been struck between ambulance workers and the HSE.

The agreement means a proposed crucial strike by Ambulance workers will now be avoided. The ambulance worker's union, SIPTU, threatened industrial action over plans by the HSE to sign contracts with private operators for the provision of some services.

Ambulance staff were outraged at the move, which they saw as a step towards privatisation.

The SIPTU announced this morning however that agreement was reached on the issue of private contractors and agency workers, as well as increased staffing levels for the ambulance service.

Ambulance staff had previously said they would have made a skeleton staff available in the event of strike.

(DW/JM)

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