Eleventh hour discussions led to today’s planned strike by 10,000 health support staff being axed as “significant cancellations and deferrals” were avoided.
Siptu called off the action and will now take part in emergency discussions at the Workplace Relations Commission today and tomorrow.
The union and Department of Health and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform officials met yesterday in an effort to resolve the pay row.
The dispute was sparked after a Government refusal to concede an increase awarded through an independent job evaluation process that was concluded under the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement.
Siptu’s Paul Bell said: “The strike action scheduled for tomorrow is now deferred at the request of the Workplace Relations Commission.
“Discussions on the implementation of the job evaluation scheme for Siptu members in the health service will commence tomorrow.
"Preparations for strike for next Tuesday and Wednesday will continue.”
Contingency plans had earlier been put in place at the 38 hospitals and health care facilities set to be impacted by the planned 24-hour strike yesterday.
Patients had been warned to stay away unless it was absolutely necessary before the deferral of the stoppage. Health care assistants, chefs and porters were among the health supports staff who had been set to go on strike.
The HSE insisted yesterday it would try to reinstate any cancelled appointments for today and patients were being contacted in an effort to reschedule the consultations.
The HSE yesterday said it was pleased by the announcement.
A spokesman added: “Hospitals will endeavour to reinstate services and appointments in so far as possible and will contact patients directly to advise of any appointments and procedures that can proceed tomorrow.”
