Ambulance strikes reaches Wexford
AMBULANCE personnel based at Wexford General Hospital have taken part in a nationwide one-day strike aimed at highlighting their anger and frustration at a lack of response from the HSE in relation to their wish to become members of the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) union.
The strike was held in conjunction with the Psychiatric Nurses Association which said the refusal of the HSE to respond to invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to find a resolution to the dispute was ‘irresponsible’.
One of those involved with the Wexford picket, Mick Dixon, said the picket took place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
‘This is an issue that has been ongoing for about eight or nine months,’ he said.
‘It’s like it’s ok to join a union so long as it’s the one the HSE wants you to join and we’re not happy with that,’ he added.
Mr Dixon said he and his colleagues want to be able to join the union of their choice.
‘You can join a union but only one of the ones management wants you to,’ he said.
‘We know our jobs and we know how to do them well,’ he added.
The nationwide dispute began with phased industrial action in November and if a resolution to the matter isn’t found soon it’s likely that more industrial action will take place over the coming weeks.