All areas of the public sector to be affected by work stoppages
As the unions prepare to step up their escalation of industrial action over public sector pay cuts it seems schools, hospitals, courts and the local authorities will be effected by people walking off the job in the coming days and weeks.
On Monday, March 8 the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) decided to enter a “new phase of industrial action which would involve the withdrawal of labour,” the announcements of which will be made by individual unions in the coming days and weeks.
At the time of going to press SIPTU had announced that staff at seven Dublin hospitals will withdraw labour from Wednesday until Friday, April 7- 9.
The actions to be taken by unions will involve around 300,000 staff and could have a severe impact on services.
Chairperson of the Public Services Committee of the ICTU Peter McLoone said the action was not unreasonable given pay cuts that have been as high as 15% for some members. He said ICTU rejects the view that there is no alternative to the measures taken by Government.
He said there is still scope to put in place an agreed solution with Government, but he said both sides must sit down and negotiate with each other, and he said the sooner that happens the better.
The impact of this new escalation will be felt in Leitrim as it is predicted that schools could close for half or full days and health sector workers are expected to engage in stoppages of two hours.
Yesterday, Tuesday, March 9 local authorities in the North West, including Leitrim refused to answer any public calls from 9am until 1pm. It is understood that they too will take part in work stoppages going forward. The CPSU has already served strike notice to take effect from next Monday.
It is understood that the Garda Representative Association has said garda will refuse to use their own personal mobile phones, cameras, laptops and other equipment for work as part of their industrial action.
SIPTU announced yesterday, Tuesday, March 9 that seven Dublin hospitals have given strike notice to occur from 1am on Wednesday, 7 April until 1am on Friday, 9 April.
The hospitals affected if the strike goes ahead are Beaumont Hospital, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Tallaght Hospital, St Vincent's University Hospital, St James's Hospital, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown and St Columcille's in Loughlinstown.
Last week the Health Service Executive wrote to staff engaged in the current work-to-rule, requesting them to resume their normal duties with immediate effect. The HSE warned that it may be forced to take disciplinary action, such as a reduction in pay or redeployment, against staff that refuse to resume their normal duties.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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