SIPTU serves notice of protective strike action on Dublin hospitals

SIPTU has served notice of protective strike action, today (Friday, 31st October), on Dublin’s six main training hospitals in a dispute over rosters and pay.

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “Following the unilateral decision by the hospital managements to attempt to change working patterns for porters, catering operatives, laboratory assistants and CSSD Technicians, SIPTU has been left with no alternative but to serve notice of protective strike action”.

The hospitals involved are St Vincent’s University, Beaumont, the Mater, Tallaght and St Luke’s and the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street.

He added: “These hospitals have been advised by letter that our members will engage in strike action should management unilaterally introduce change to our members rosters and established shift patterns, which management have agreed with workers, will be retained”.

Paul Bell has previously informed the HSE and the management of the six hospitals that the Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements contain provisions which protect the earnings of low paid workers in the health service who have already suffered major reductions in pay.