SIPTU has met with TDs and senators ahead of planned strike action at the National Ambulance Service next week in a dispute over pay.
Around 2,000 members of SIPTU and Unite at the ambulance service will engage in a work-to-rule on Monday followed by a 24-hour strike on Tuesday.
There will be a 48-hour stoppage on 19 May, a 72-hour stoppage on 26 May, with further strike action planned for June.
Unions have accused the HSE of failing to implement the recommendations of an independent report on updating staff salary scales to reflect changes in responsibilities and workload.
"SIPTU representatives have called on TDs and Senators of all parties to support its members and to raise the issue of pay justice for ambulance personnel," said SIPTU Ambulance Sector Organiser John McCamley.
"We call on the HSE to implement the recommendations of the independent report without preconditions and to introduce enhanced pay scales which properly recognise the training and professional level that our members are now carrying out their duties on a daily basis," Mr McCamley said.
The HSE said previously said that it met with SIPTU and Unite in February and confirmed it was committed to entering further discussion on the substantive elements of Workplace Relations Commission proposals, which included new pay scales for relevant grades that recognise past, present and future transformative change, subject to the financial envelope approved by the Department of Health and with the consent and sanction of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
"This proposal was rejected by SIPTU and Unite, who immediately advised of their intention to ballot for industrial action," the HSE said.
The HSE added that it remains committed to engagement through the dispute resolution processes set out in the Public Service Agreement.
SIPTU members at Steris Tullamore to take strike action
Meanwhile, SIPTU members employed at contract sterilisation and lab testing facility Steris AST in Tullamore, Co Offaly, are to take strike action next week in a dispute over union recognition.
SIPTU has accused management of refusing to engage with the union on issues including sick leave and pay.
Members will commence a 24-hour strike at 8am on Friday 15 May, during which time pickets will be placed at the entrance to the plant.
"These workers have been forced to take strike action due to the company's failure to respect their right to collectively bargain with their employer, who has unilaterally imposed changes to their sick pay and structure of remuneration," said SIPTU Sector Organiser, Andrea Cleere.
"Our members in Steris have been seeking to collectively negotiate with the company through their Union, SIPTU, for more than a decade. However, throughout this time, and despite the intervention of the Labour Court in 2018, management has refused to engage," Ms Cleere said.
Steris has been contacted for comment.
