SIPTU members begin industrial action in national ambulance control centre

SIPTU members began a work-to-rule industrial action in the National Ambulance Service control centre, in Tallaght, Dublin 24, today (Monday, 20th June), in a dispute concerning staffing levels and payment rates. SIPTU Organiser, John McCamley said: “It is regrettable that our members were left with no option but to implement a work-to-rule industrial action. This dispute results from a failure to fully implement a number of agreements arrived at following negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission regarding staffing levels, the filling of permanent vacancies, payment of correct pay rates and retention of emergency call takers within the centre.” He added: “Our members in the National Ambulance Service control centre provide a vital service in sometimes stressful conditions. However, these highly skilled emergency call takers have a starting annual wage of just above €21,000. The work-to-rule industrial action by SIPTU members affects non-emergency duties within the control centre.”