Overview
- The unions called off the 48-hour stoppage planned for Tuesday, May 19, after Thursday engagements led the Labour Court to schedule direct talks for Monday.
- A work-to-rule that began Monday stays in place, which means staff follow contracts to the letter and pause extra duties.
- The HSE said Tuesday’s 24-hour strike produced longer response times and said it regretted the decision to strike.
- Crews still left picket lines for life‑threatening emergencies under a contingency plan agreed with the HSE.
- Unions say the dispute centers on unpaid recommendations from an independent pay review and on HSE preconditions they argue would weaken crew skill mix or lower some pay, and they have flagged a 72‑hour stoppage on May 26 with more action in June if no deal.