Ambulance drivers plan strike
Posted online: Feb 4th, 2008
By Paula Burns
paula.burns@kildarepost.com
Kildare ambulance drivers are set for a nationwide strike ballot. Kildare based drivers will join 12,000 of their colleagues in the balloting for strike. Balloting will commence on Monday 3rd February.
The controversy between the Health Service Executive and SIPTU centers on claims that the HSE awarded three contracts to private ambulance services.
Matt Merrigan, National Industrial Secretary of SIPTU is confident his members will be successful in achieving strike action.
“A sub-committee meeting was set up before Christmas to discuss the issue of extra ambulance services. However the HSE went behind the back of this active sub-committee and signed three contracts to private ambulance services”, Mr. Merrigan continued “this breach of trust occurred over the Christmas and New Year period. It is the manner in which the HSE carried out the process of the tender that has caused upset with the members of SIPTU”.
SIPTU stated that this is work which its members would normally have carried out.
In response to allegations made by SIPTU the HSE stated that it has not contravened any agreement with union representatives in this matter.
“The HSE is totally committed to the development of the National Ambulance Service. The private companies represent a very small part of the work we do – our expenditure of less than 4% of our total budget clearly demonstrates this,” stated Mr. Frank McClintock, Head of the National Ambulance Service, “We have been able to ensure the safety of our patients through the tender process whereby the successful companies are compelled to meet agreed standards that will ensure a quality led service for our patients. Where the private companies are used to assist us in our emergency work, they are also compelled to meet equally high standards.”
It is expected that the entire ambulance service staff of all grades including that of Kildare will be balloting in an effort to seek strike action. Once granted a three week notice to strike will be served.