SIPTU Ambulance Sector representatives have today (Monday, 15th July) confirmed that SIPTU members working in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare will be balloted for industrial action, up to and including strike action, over the failure of NAS management to rectify problems with a new payroll system. SIPTU Industrial Organiser, John McCamley said: “Despite repeated calls to fix the IT problems and numerous engagements, NAS management has failed resolve this matter to our members’satisfaction. We have members who depend on every cent they earn to pay mortgages and childcare costs, left in the intolerable position of being short changed on their overtime, bank holiday and subsistence payments for over five weeks now. We regret taking this action but our members have been left with no option. They perform an essential public service and are now in limbo with no sign of payment on the horizon. It is not acceptable. The dispute also involves the unilateral withdrawal of subsistence payments for ambulance professionals in some circumstances.”