09/08/2016

NAS Strike Action Suspended Following Agreements

An all-out strike by members of the National Ambulance Service (NAS) due to begin tomorrow has been indefinitely suspended, trade union SIPTU has announced.

The move follows union representatives securing a formal commitment from the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and NAS management for substantial new investment in the service.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: "The commitments secured this evening contain concrete guarantees on staffing levels, compensation for loss of earnings and the establishment of a working group to deal with other issues relating to the NAS.

"Specifically, our members have secured commitments for the recruitment of 150 new emergency technicians for deployment into the Intermediate Care Service over a two-year period. There is also a commitment to implement the recommendations outlined in the NAS capacity review. This confirms that 461 paramedics will be recruited on a phased basis over a five-year period which will entail recruiting in excess of 100 paramedics each year on an incremental basis.

"Other issues resolved include securing compensation for loss of earnings for our members under the terms of the public service agreement. This is to be paid at the next available payroll."

Mr Bell added that negotiations had been "protracted and at times difficult for our members", and that the decision for all-out strike action had demonstrated the seriousness of the issues.

(MH/LM)

Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 April 2010
Planning Service 'To Lose Posts'
Around 300 members of staff at the Northern Ireland Civil Service are to be redeployed within the Department of Environment (DOE).
28 June 2016
National Ambulance Service Industrial Action Vote Wins 92% Majority
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.
30 July 2014
Open Recruitment Process For Garda Commissioner Begins
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has announced the commencement of the open recruitment process for the post of Garda Commissioner. It is expected the appointment of a new Garda Commissioner will be made by the end of the year.
02 March 2016
Call For MPs To Back NHS Bill
Union Unite is calling on its 100,000 members in the health service to urge their MPs to support a parliamentary bill to restore public accountability to the running of the NHS.
10 April 2013
LRC Proposals Provide Enhanced Job Security
The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) proposals for a new public service agreement provide enhanced job security and significant protection from outsourcing for workers in Irish hospitals, according to SIPTUs National Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell.