More than 1,000 ambulance drivers across the country have issued strike notice on the HSE today over a decision by the executive to contract a number of private ambulance service providers.
Siptu - which represents the 1,200 HSE ambulance personnel - said the dispute centres on a unilateral decision by the HSE to sign contracts with three private ambulance service providers without the consent of its own ambulance personnel, in contravention of an existing agreement.
Strike notice will expire at 8am on April 7th.
Siptu national industrial secretary Matt Merrigan claimed the HSE had breached the terms of a 2007 agreement with the relevant unions to implement an independent adjudicator's findings on its employment of front-line ambulance personnel.
Last month the adjudicator recommended that the number of paramedics employed by the HSE should be increased beyond the levels proposed by the executive.
"However, while we were still discussing these issues, the HSE signed contracts with three private ambulance service providers behind our backs," Mr Merrigan said.
"We consider this action to be a complete breach of faith on the part of the HSE in its dealings with ambulance crews nationally," he added.
Mr Merrigan said the ambulance paramedics involved in the dispute were "dedicated health professionals" who regretted that "this course of action has become necessary".
"However, in view of the clear breach of faith by the HSE and in order to protect the ambulance service in the longer term, our members feel they have no other option but to take this action," he insisted.