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National Ambulance Service personnel to ballot on strike action

The dispute centres around proposed new work structures.

SIPTU-AFFILIATED NATIONAL Ambulance Service (NAS) personnel have begun a ballot for strike action in a dispute with the HSE.

The union said the row centres around a series of proposed reforms contained in a report which recommends the introduction of new grades of staff, new job descriptions and the upskilling of existing staff.

Siptu Sector Organiser, Ted Kenny, said that the proposals include revised pay scales for NAS members. 

“Following months of intensive, local engagement on this issue with NAS management our representatives are deeply concerned that it is yet to be implemented.

“Our members have fully co-operated with the plan drawn up by management to develop the service and they expect commitments concerning new grades and pay scales which were made to them to be met.

“Our members will not accept any deviation from the reality that it is management’s function to secure the necessary funding to deliver the agreed vision for the service. This includes any payments arising to staff as part of their overall restructuring plan,” he said.

Kenny said that his union rejects any suggestion that the measures would mean an increase in costs. 

“It is the function of management to secure the necessary funding to deliver the commitments it has made,” the Union representative said.

The ballot for strike action will conclude on 4 May.

Last year The Journal reported that ambulance workers feel “taken for granted” with staffing levels and workloads causing burnout and leading to some leaving the sector. 

Representatives have said staff numbers should at least double to tackle the current issues facing ambulance workers.

At the time Kenny said there are 1,200 paramedics working in Ireland. 

The HSE said there are 2,000 staff members in the National Ambulance Service overall. 

Kenny said he’s aware of 30 or 40 people who have left the sector in recent times for a number of reasons, including burnout. 

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Dec 1st 2023, 11:49 AM

    Good.

    213
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    Mute lastfewchocices
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    Dec 1st 2023, 12:27 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: it’s excellent. Also interesting that the comments are open on this. Seems very random.

    129
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    Mute Jen McC
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    Dec 1st 2023, 12:45 PM

    About time, the point of the vote was so people no longer had to travel. If you offer a health service, it needs to be local.

    163
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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    Dec 1st 2023, 3:17 PM

    @Jen McC: health service its certainly not that for the baby

    129
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    Mute Chutes
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    Dec 1st 2023, 5:39 PM

    @Sheila McNulty: You gonna look after it for life? If not then it’s nothing to do with you.

    60
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    Mute Gerry Kelly
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:29 PM

    5 more hospitals will be allowed provide “abortion services”
    AND you won’t be allowed hold even a silent vigil outside if you believe it’s wrong to kill unborn babies
    Our new “tolerant” and “progressive” Ireland is indeed a wonderful place

    176
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    Mute Margaret Brennan
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:38 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: what don’t you hold a silent vigil on your own womb ?

    193
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    Mute Joanne Husband
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:46 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: nor should you be allowed to, make your own decisions for yourself based on your beliefs/standards/morals and leave others to do so also.

    161
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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:51 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: Who told you unborn babies are being killed?

    How on Earth would any sensible person arrive at that conclusion?

    50
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    Mute Ciaran Forde
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    Dec 1st 2023, 1:53 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: Yes absolutely the right call. Have the vigil in your backgarden.

    72
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    Mute Jon Doesn't
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    Dec 1st 2023, 2:14 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: light a candle in your own gaffe… Do as long a vigil as u like.. While doing so, ask gods forgiveness for poking your nose into other’s business and for judging others actions.. And if you have a green house, throw a stone or two.

    119
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    Mute Colm O' Shea
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    Dec 1st 2023, 2:16 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: you can hold a vigil, just not directly outside a hospital, feel free to have a non silent vigil outside the Dail etc.
    Not allowed outside hospitals because it has been used to intimidate women who are going for legal medical treatment

    94
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    Mute The Anti palestine And Islam
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    Dec 1st 2023, 5:29 PM

    @Gerry Kelly: F off with your vigil.

    29
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    Mute Chris O'Brien
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    Dec 1st 2023, 12:47 PM

    Imagine a hospital providing legal service being news.

    94
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    Mute lucia
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    Dec 1st 2023, 8:32 PM

    As a nurse I saw my first abortion in the 80s in the uk it was horrific I’m glad I’m now retired and don’t have to see it done ever again

    66
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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Dec 2nd 2023, 11:41 PM

    @lucia: Ever see open heart surgery? Horrific stuff.

    10
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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Dec 1st 2023, 7:15 PM

    So they are expanding this service. Contrast with lack of any provision of dental services for children who need general anaesthetics.

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    Mute Karen Byrne
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    Dec 1st 2023, 6:24 PM

    Absolutely disgusting to do this
    How you’d sleep at night would be beyond me
    Have a bit of cop on go on something if you dnt want a child

    59
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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Dec 2nd 2023, 11:43 PM

    @Karen Byrne: The irony of telling people to cop on while displaying zero. Poor effort at trolling, 2/10

    5
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    Mute Simon Eales
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    Dec 1st 2023, 6:34 PM

    Two fingers up to the old Catholic Ireland. Viva la modern society

    31
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    Mute Seanfhear míshásta
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    Dec 1st 2023, 6:26 PM

    Good but why has it taken so long?

    23
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