Talks Offer As 'Tip' Ambulance Strike Looms

Although industrial action is to start within 48 hours, a trade union is saying it can still enter 11-hour talks to avert ambulance staff walking out in Co Tipperary.

The action is due to start on Thursday at midnight as crews of the North Tipperary Ambulance Service withdraw their non-emergency services.

Stations to be affected are in Nenagh, Thurles, and Roscrea.

The drivers, who are members of the union SIPTU, will however continue to provide an emergency service, but will not be carrying out other duties.

They balloted for strike action in July after management decided to impose new work rosters unilaterally rather than address issues through normal industrial relations procedures.

The new rosters require changes in the on-call system in North Tipperary that could add up to 25 minutes to response times for the service.

Management is imposing the changes in breach of long standing agreements going back to 1993.

In line with the agreed code of conduct, SIPTU gave three weeks notice of strike action. Members will ensure emergency services will be provided in line with agreed contingency arrangements during the strike.

"Our members have tried to resolve this issue through local negotiations and, if necessary, through the services of a third party," SIPTU Organiser Paul Gavan said.

"We have sought compromise in the interests of protecting response times for the public as well as members' conditions, but unfortunately HSE management has consistently stated that no compromise is possible.

"Members have been shocked by the decision to depart from established practice and to impose a roster which is detrimental to the needs of the service," he said.

"Even at this late stage SIPTU remains available for talks and we hope that the planned strike action will not be necessary,"

(BMcC/KMcA)