The frontline pay well is dry

The National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) today (Wednesday) laid down a clear marker for the Government that frontline ambulance personnel will not tolerate any further cuts in their pay, directly or through cuts in allowances, as envisaged under the ‘Croke Park 2' process.

NASRA Chairman, Michael Dixon said; ‘following consultation with NASRA members and other employees of the National Ambulance Service on the alarming signals coming from the Government side on what they want from an extension of the Croke Park Agreement we have a clear and unambiguous message for the Government – “front line ambulance personnel will not and cannot take any further cuts”

‘Under Croke Park, the, Paramedics and Advanced Paramedics have shown their commitment again and again to contribute to increasing productivity and achieving efficiencies across the emergency services. We have accepted a reduction in pay of up to 30%”, punishing roster changes and extended hours. We have also engaged in continued professional development and seen the introduction of ‘green hours' (unpaid hours accrued), continuous up skilling and far reaching changes to work practices.

‘The frontline services of the Gardaí, Paramedics, Nurses and Firefighters are the life blood of providing 24/7 emergency care and emergency services, but we are not prepared to have our professionalism and dedication taken for granted by a Government that continuously targets these vital services for cuts as if we are a bottomless well.

‘NASRA supports the 24/7 Alliance and our members will not tolerate any further cuts to our pay. If the Government believes that balancing its budget means another cut in frontline public sector pay it is mistaken. The message from paramedics is clear and simple – the well of frontline pay is dry – we have no more to give. '

NOTE TO EDITORS : NASRA is an affiliate union of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA).

MEDIA CONTACTS : NASRA National Chairman Michael Dixon 086-2704736/Derek Cunningham 086-2430535