Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019
344. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if he has requested or met a union (details supplied) to intervene in the inter-union dispute between unions in relation to recognition of a union in the National Ambulance Service; his plans to address the issue in view of the fact that service withdrawal is affecting patient care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16150/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra457. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health his views on the ongoing inter-union dispute between unions (details supplied) and the impact it is having on the provision of ambulance services; if there is a pathway available to resolve the ongoing dispute either on the employer or the union side; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16633/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra460. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the action he is taking to resolve the ongoing issues with the National Ambulance Service and their rights to join a union of their own choosing; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a union (details supplied) categorically does not represent members of the Ambulance Service and represent only administration staff within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16645/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 344, 457 and 460 together.
As the Deputies are aware, a branch of the Psychiatric Nurses Association called the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) has been engaged in industrial action. The Psychiatric Nurses Association state that their industrial action is in connection with two substantive issues. The first is the automated deduction of union subscriptions. The second is the refusal by the HSE to engage in negotiations with the PNA or to recognise the PNA as representing ambulance personnel.
To be clear, NASRA, which is affiliated with the PNA, is a group which is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights. The PNA does not have negotiating rights for ambulance personnel.
It should be noted that the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of a number of unions. These are SIPTU, FORSA and UNITE. The deduction of subscriptions is not a legal right but rather a concession granted to recognised unions.
While it is regrettable that the PNA has taken this industrial action, it is not possible to negotiate with a union which is not recognised as having negotiating rights for ambulance grades. Officials from the Department have met with representatives of the HSE and the management of National Ambulance Service to explore possible options. However, this is a complex, challenging situation.
Industrial relations policy has had a long standing objective of avoiding fragmentation in worker representation in public sector employments, and the trade union movement generally, so as to facilitate the orderly conduct of bargaining and other aspects of industrial relations.
