Thousands of ambulance workers across Ireland have commenced a 24-hour strike this morning, leaving the National Ambulance Service (NAS) operating on a “life-and-limb” basis only. The stoppage, which involves paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and advanced paramedics, began at 8:00 AM and is set to continue until Wednesday morning.
The dispute centers on the long-delayed implementation of the 2020 Roles and Responsibilities Review. Unions SIPTU and Unite argue that over the last two decades, the role of a paramedic has shifted from simple “patient transport” to providing complex, pre-hospital clinical care. Since 2011 alone, the responsibility for administering life-saving medications has increased by over 80%. Despite this increased clinical burden, unions say pay scales have remained stagnant and do not reflect the high level of training now required for the job.
SIPTU’s John McCamley stated that morale is at an all-time low. “Our members have implemented every modernization requested of them, yet they are still being paid on a grading structure that belongs in the early 2000s,” he said.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has warned of “significant disruption” and is urging the public to consider all other healthcare options before calling 999. While the emergency dispatch system remains operational, calls are being strictly triaged.
- Priority 1 (Life-Threatening): Heart attacks, strokes, and major trauma will receive immediate attention, though delays are still possible.
- Priority 2 & 3 (Non-Urgent): Patients with non-life-threatening conditions have been warned to expect “very long delays” and are encouraged to contact GPs or visit Injury Units where possible.
The HSE expressed regret over the strike, noting that they had offered pay improvements of between 3% and 14% last year. However, these were rejected by union members because they were tied to “unacceptable preconditions” regarding further service changes.
Today’s 24-hour stoppage follows a “work-to-rule” action that began yesterday. If no agreement is reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the disruption is set to escalate rapidly. Unions have already served notice for a 48-hour strike on May 19 and a 72-hour strike on May 26, with further actions planned for June.
“We don’t want to be on the picket line; we want to be on the front line,” said one paramedic in Cork this morning. “But we cannot continue to be the invisible backbone of the health service without the pay and respect we’ve earned.”
