Staff at four local hospitals to be included in national strike ballot

Staff at four local hospitals to be included in national strike ballot

SIPTU have this morning announced that members working as support staff in at least 40 hospitals across the country will begin a ballot for strike action on Monday, 23rd January, in a dispute resulting from breaches of the national public service agreements and their exclusion from concessions provided to other emergency department staff.

Support staff at four local hospitals, Tallaght, St James’, Crumlin Children’s Hospital and the Coombe are among those to be balloted.

Hospital trolley waiting stock img

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “It is deeply regrettable that our members in these hospitals feel compelled to take this action.

“The hospitals to be balloted have been selected due to our members’ belief that the issues in dispute are particularly acute in these facilities.

“It is expected that additional hospitals will be added to this initial list of facilities to be balloted.
 
“The failure of the HSE and Department of Health to resolve a number of issues has led to a situation where our members have been forced to contemplate strike action.

“These issues include a failure by management to adhere to the fully binding provisions of the Lansdowne Road Agreement and Haddington Road Agreement.

“The most crucial elements that have not been adhered to include the reintroduce of a job evaluation scheme, to pay interns or apply incremental credit and double time payments.
 
“The other central issue in this dispute involves the granting of concessions by the HSE and the Department of Health to nurses working in emergency departments which have not been extended to other workers.”

 
He added: “The balloting process will commence on the 23rd January with the result scheduled to be announced on Monday, 13th February.

“This means there is still ample time for the HSE and Department of Health to address all the outstanding issues of concern for our members, something they have failed to do over the preceding 15 months.
 
“SIPTU has directly communicated our concerns to the Minister for Health, Simon Harris. In response the Minister has called for dialogue to resolve the outstanding problems but this has not led to any genuine action by either the HSE or Department of Health.
 
“In the result of strike action our members will do everything in their power to ensure that the disruption for the public is minimalised.”
 
The initial list of hospitals where SIPTU support staff members will be balloted:
 
Connolly Hospital, Dublin

Central Mental Hospital, Dublin

Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin

Coombe Women’s and Infants University Hospital, Dublin

National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dublin

Royal Hospital, Donnybrook, Dublin

Incorporated Orthopaedic Hospital of Ireland, Dublin

Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dublin

Central Remedial Clinic, Dublin

Killarney Community Hospital, Kerry  

Tallaght Hospital, Dublin

Beaumont Hospital, Dublin

James’ Hospital, Dublin

Mater Hospital, Dublin

St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin

Cavan General Hospital, Cavan

Mullingar General Hospital, Westmeath

Portlaoise General Hospital, Laois

Dublin Dental Hospital, Dublin

Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, Dublin

St. Ita’s Hospital Portrane, Dublin

South Tipperary General Hospital, Tipperary

St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny

Wexford General Hospital, Wexford  

Cork University Hospital, Cork

Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork

Bantry General Hospital, Kerry  

Mercy University Hospital, Cork

University Hospital Kerry

Letterkenny University Hospital, Donegal

Sligo University Hospital, Silgo

University Hospital Limerick

University College Hospital Galway

Merlin Park Hospital, Galway

Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Offaly

Naas General Hospital, Kildare

St. Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown, Dublin

Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Meath

Our Lady of Lourdes, Drogheda, Louth

Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, Louth

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