Unite the Union has announced a series of major workplace victories across the UK and Ireland, highlighted by a historic pay deal for Irish ambulance personnel alongside key wage gains for workers in shipbuilding, defence, and transport.
The announcements follow a landmark agreement for National Ambulance Service (NAS) workers in Ireland following an industrial dispute.
Up to 23% pay increase for Irish ambulance staff
Under the newly accepted deal, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and supervisors in Ireland will see their pay increase by up to 23%, depending on their length of service.
The pay rise addresses long-standing concerns regarding expanded responsibilities, increased workload, and required skill levels for frontline medical staff.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham hailed the breakthrough as a major milestone for frontline health staff:
“Irish Ambulance workers secure huge pay increase. Emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and supervisors will see their pay increase by up to 23% – depending on length of service.”
Industrial wins across shipbuilding, defence, and transport
The pay deal for Irish ambulance staff tops a series of recent successes secured by Unite bargaining units across multiple sectors:
- Navantia Methil shipyard: workers at the Fife yard have secured a 3.3% pay increase.
- Thales: Unite members at defence manufacturer Thales have agreed a 4.3% pay rise.
- Prestwick Airport: tanker drivers supplying aviation fuel have won official union recognition.
The series of wins comes as Sharon Graham continues to emphasise direct workplace bargaining and industrial organisation to deliver tangible improvements in pay and working conditions for members across the UK and Ireland.
