The country’s hospitals face chaos on Wednesday when a strike by 10,000 workers which was postponed last week goes ahead.
Support staff at 38 hospitals and healthcare facilities around the country will stage the one day stoppage after talks at the Workplace Relations Commission ended without agreement.
Last Thursday’s strike was deferred to allow for talks but many cancelled appointments could not be reinstated in time, and an unknown number of patients are now waiting to have scheduled procedures re-arranged.
A second strike, due to take place on Tuesday was also postponed to allow further negotiations.
SIPTU Health Division Organiser Paul Bell confirmed that Wednesday’s stoppage will go definitely go ahead.
He said: “SIPTU would prefer a negotiated settlement that does not impact on patient services.
"Unfortunately, we have run out of time and too many issues remain unresolved. SIPTU members have acted in good faith at all times during this dispute including by deferring two days of strike action.
“We believe that the Government has abused the conciliation process and never meaningfully engaged with SIPTU representatives.
“Some €16.2 million is owed to our members yet the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has only offered €1.2 million to resolve this dispute.
“Furthermore, the Department has attempted to frustrate this process by seeking to unilaterally change a crucial element of the job evaluation scheme which centres on the assimilation of pay to new grades as awarded under this independent process.
“A 24-hour strike, involving up to 10,000 support staff, will go ahead from 8.00am on Wednesday as our members continue to pursue their legitimate claim for recognition, respect and pay justice.”
As of last night it was unclear how much disruption will be caused to patients but it is likely that many procedures will be cancelled.
