Ambulance service controllers have accepted a Labour Court award of £25 a week in return for significant changes in work practices. The award averts the threat of a strike that would have affected ambulance services through out the Eastern Health Board area.
However, the settlement terms are likely to lead to a major follow-on claim from nearly 600 ambulance drivers. Last night, SIPTU regional secretary, Mr Brendan Hayes, said any increase awarded to the controllers would be sought by the drivers, who have a firm linkage with them.
Mr Hayes said the increase, worth about 8 per cent, should be paid automatically to his members. If it is not, the union will present its own claim to the Health Service Employers' Association.
Mr Peter McLoone, general secretary of IMPACT which represents the majority of ambulance controllers, said he was pleased at the Labour Court findings. It upheld the union claim that ambulance controllers' pay rates were linked with those of clerical and administrative staff in the health services.
Meanwhile, craftworkers in the health services and local authorities are balloting for strike action on a pay claim that could cause major problems for the Government. The claim is based on an analogue, or basket of wages in comparable employments, that precedes national wage agreements.
The claim is for an increase of £27.69 a week. If it is conceded it would lead to follow-on claims from some 50,000 other public service workers and could compromise Government efforts to contain public sector pay.