National Ambulance Service workers are taking industrial action this week as a result of the HSE’s failure to update pay scales as recommended by an independent report; with work-to-rule measures implemented today to be followed by a 24-hour strike tomorrow.

It is imperative that these workers’ pay matches their workload and responsibilities, according to David Gardiner, Workers’ Party representative for Palmerstown-Fonthill and a retired paramedic.

Gardiner said: “The job that these workers are carrying out has evolved to be more complicated over the past two decades, moving away from patient transport to a higher level of pre-hospital care and treatment, and it is only right that their pay reflects this higher level of responsibility. This is true at any time, but becomes particularly relevant when the cost-of-living crisis is taken into consideration.”

“No worker wants to be on strike, let alone frontline workers who understand the importance of their job in saving lives, but they must stand up for themselves. The reality is that SIPTU and Unite members have been left with little choice by the HSE but to take to the picket line.”

“It is up to the HSE to resolve this dispute. The roles that National Ambulance Service workers engage in on a daily basis are crucial to society, and it is imperative to the wellbeing of society that the HSE recognises this with better pay.”