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2010

SIPTU TO BEGIN STRIKE BALLOT OVER THREATENED JOB CUTS IN HSE WEST

Date Released: 25 Jul 2010

SIPTU members in HSE West are to be balloted for industrial action following the failure of management to engage in discussions over threatened job cuts. The Union’s Senior Health Organiser, Paul Bell, said today that it was necessary to hold a protective strike ballot in case management decides to act unilaterally and implement the sort of cuts being leaked to the media in recent days.

He has written to the Labour Relations Commission notifying it of the potential for a serious dispute and seeking its assistance. The Government has appointed PJ Fitzpatrick as the independent Chairman of the Public Service Implementation Body that will oversee the Croke Park Agreement, but Mr. Bell said today that “as HSE West does not seem to think the agreement applies to them our first port of call in this dispute must be the LRC. Otherwise we may find dozens, if not hundreds of our members sacked.

In a letter to SIPTU shop stewards in the HSE West region on Friday, Mr. Bell wrote that, ‘In response to the ongoing concerns regarding our members’ future employment in Galway and the HSE West I am requesting that you commence immediate preparation for a ballot of all your members for Protective Strike Action.

‘This response to the ongoing speculation which has been generated by the HSE failure to engage with the constituent unions is deemed necessary in order for our members to be included in the process of generating efficiencies within the HSE West region and also protection of employment. A sample ballot paper will be issued to you on Monday post consultation with the relevant organisers in the area.’

Today Mr. Bell said, “I can understand that local management in HSE West faces enormous pressure from above to achieve savings of at least €68 million as quickly as possible but they will not achieve their objectives by simply passing the buck to our members in the form of job cuts - especially as our members deliver some of the most vital front line services, despite being amongst the lowest paid workers in the sector.

“It would be hard to think of a better way of saving the least money for the taxpayer at the greatest expense to patients other than by pursuing this particular strategy. SIPTU is not going to allow our members and the vulnerable people they serve to become the first in the line of fire when it the cuts begin.”





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