Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Given that hundreds of paramedics and ambulance personnel have been forced out onto cold picket lines today, who, by a 98% vote, have chosen to join the National Ambulance Staff Representative Association, NASRA, will the Taoiseach instruct the HSE to deal with the union?

There are two essential issues here. One is that it is not about what the boss or employer wants. It is meant to be about which union the worker chooses to represent him or her. Second, the Taoiseach cannot go around bragging about being the best performing economy in Europe and finding €500 million in extra corporation tax, but then telling workers that they must put up with pay restraint and health cuts. This week it is health workers. Next week it will be nurses.

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