Public Service Cuts Face Major Opposition

Following an admission yesterday by a senior Government minister that public sector cuts were being considered, a raft of action is being planned by unions and workers alike to protect their jobs and wages.

Siptu is balloting 9,000 members of its Dublin Health Services Branch today over the proposed cutbacks in the health service.

The branch represents non-nursing staff in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The union have also today released a statement on the current economic climate, wherein they have called for a re-evaluation of how the government is tackling the current crisis.

A spokesman for the union said: "It is important that we analyse the economic crisis properly and respond to the challenge in a manner that best protects the jobs, pay and living standards of union members and workers generally.

"We must pursue a strategy designed to ensure that the jobs and living standards of our members and working people generally, are protected to the fullest possible extent."

The results of the vote are expected at around 4.00pm and are expected to favour strike action if cutbacks go ahead.

Meanwhile, nurses warned the Government and the HSE yesterday that it was illegal to cut their pay.

(DW/BMcC)