AMBULANCE CREWS ARE going to consider strike action over a private operator reportedly being hired to transfer patients between hospitals without prior consultation with unions.

SIPTU and Unite are calling on the service to cease outsourcing and instead increase staffing levels.

In a letter to members today, Unite said that it has discovered that a tender was issued “several months ago” for inter-hospital transfers in Dublin and the surrounding counties.

“We further understand that contracts were signed with a private operator two months ago to deliver this service,” it said.

It said unions were not consulted at any stage about the move. They say it is a breach of the outsourcing protections in the Public Service Agreement.

“Given the seriousness of management’s actions, Unite has no option but to ballot members for industrial action up to and including strike action. Any lesser response would not reflect the gravity of the situation, particularly as contracts have already been signed,” the letter continued.

It said that, given they weren’t told about the outsourcing of work in the east, they are now concerned that similar plans may be underway in other regions without them knowing.

The unions are preparing to hold a ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action.