Menu
29/04/2008
Health Workers To Take Industrial Action
A major vote on the prospect of industrial action has seen almost 30,000 health service workers vote to stymie management with a work to rule and other disruptive action.
Workers believe the HSE's controversial recruitment freeze, is having a devastating effect on services.
The employees are members of the IMPACT trade union, which includes health professionals, therapists, social care workers and administrative and managerial staff. The union said it would refuse to co-operate with HSE advisors or the Executive's 'transformation programme’ from 21st May.
The result is an overwhelming 85% of union members and all members will now refuse to engage in non-emergency overtime and out-of-hours work, or to cover work and posts affected by the recruitment freeze.
The union says it is also planning other forms of action, including work stoppages, but insists the measures are designed to affect HSE management rather than patients.
In September 2007, the HSE announced a recruitment embargo in response to spending overruns in hospitals and refunds for drugs and medicines.
Although the spending overrun was not related to staffing costs, the embargo banned any new appointments of staff, temps, agency workers, locums, relief staff and overtime, as well as promotions, new acting up arrangements and career break returns.
A spokesman for IMPACT said: "The staffing freeze is having a devastating effect on services and staff. The effect of the cuts has so far varied, depending on where vacancies have arisen, but it's only a matter of time before all services and staff are affected.
“As well as curtailing existing services, the freeze has delayed promised improvements in areas like primary care, mental health services and care for older people. Our members find this intolerable, and experience tells us that more cuts in services and staffing are likely unless we take a stand."
(DW)
Workers believe the HSE's controversial recruitment freeze, is having a devastating effect on services.
The employees are members of the IMPACT trade union, which includes health professionals, therapists, social care workers and administrative and managerial staff. The union said it would refuse to co-operate with HSE advisors or the Executive's 'transformation programme’ from 21st May.
The result is an overwhelming 85% of union members and all members will now refuse to engage in non-emergency overtime and out-of-hours work, or to cover work and posts affected by the recruitment freeze.
The union says it is also planning other forms of action, including work stoppages, but insists the measures are designed to affect HSE management rather than patients.
In September 2007, the HSE announced a recruitment embargo in response to spending overruns in hospitals and refunds for drugs and medicines.
Although the spending overrun was not related to staffing costs, the embargo banned any new appointments of staff, temps, agency workers, locums, relief staff and overtime, as well as promotions, new acting up arrangements and career break returns.
A spokesman for IMPACT said: "The staffing freeze is having a devastating effect on services and staff. The effect of the cuts has so far varied, depending on where vacancies have arisen, but it's only a matter of time before all services and staff are affected.
“As well as curtailing existing services, the freeze has delayed promised improvements in areas like primary care, mental health services and care for older people. Our members find this intolerable, and experience tells us that more cuts in services and staffing are likely unless we take a stand."
(DW)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
26 June 2008
Jobs Freeze Announced As Economy Enters Winter Of Discontent
The government has announced plans for a recruitment freeze throughout the public service, initiating the public spending cuts about to take hold. The cutbacks have been drawn up by Finance Minister Brian Lehnihan and include a range of policies to meet the vastly reduced government budget for this year, as the economy grinds to near deficit level.
Jobs Freeze Announced As Economy Enters Winter Of Discontent
The government has announced plans for a recruitment freeze throughout the public service, initiating the public spending cuts about to take hold. The cutbacks have been drawn up by Finance Minister Brian Lehnihan and include a range of policies to meet the vastly reduced government budget for this year, as the economy grinds to near deficit level.
20 May 2008
30,000 Health Workers Begin Industrial Action
Patients across Ireland could face massive disruption when almost 30,000 health workers begin industrial action. The Impact Trade Union said the action is in response to the HSE's recruitment restrictions on staff and services, which has resulted in 2,700 vital jobs not being filled.
30,000 Health Workers Begin Industrial Action
Patients across Ireland could face massive disruption when almost 30,000 health workers begin industrial action. The Impact Trade Union said the action is in response to the HSE's recruitment restrictions on staff and services, which has resulted in 2,700 vital jobs not being filled.
03 December 2008
Union Members Accept Aer Lingus Plan
The union for Aer Lingus workers have accepted a compromise package to save the airline from proposed industrail action following a vote on Tuesday. The deal, which will result in €24.5 million in savings, was voted for by 80% of union members, but will still result in redundancies, lower pay and the introduction of more efficient work practices.
Union Members Accept Aer Lingus Plan
The union for Aer Lingus workers have accepted a compromise package to save the airline from proposed industrail action following a vote on Tuesday. The deal, which will result in €24.5 million in savings, was voted for by 80% of union members, but will still result in redundancies, lower pay and the introduction of more efficient work practices.
16 October 2024
NI Civil Service To Offer 130 New Training Places
One hundred and thirty paid student placements in the NI Civil Service, as part of its 2025-26 Civil Service Student Placement Scheme, have been announced by Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
NI Civil Service To Offer 130 New Training Places
One hundred and thirty paid student placements in the NI Civil Service, as part of its 2025-26 Civil Service Student Placement Scheme, have been announced by Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald.
03 November 2010
SIPTU Warns Over Contract Workers
There's industrial unrest looming this month as the trade union SIPTU has stated that it will not accept contract or agency workers being employed to replace health workers who leave as part of nationwide cost-cutting measures.
SIPTU Warns Over Contract Workers
There's industrial unrest looming this month as the trade union SIPTU has stated that it will not accept contract or agency workers being employed to replace health workers who leave as part of nationwide cost-cutting measures.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry for much of the night. Clear periods at first with mist and fog re-forming, Becoming cloudy later tonight with patchy drizzle towards the North Coast. Minimum temperature 3 °C.
