Members of three unions working at St Luke’s General Hospital for Carlow and Kilkenny are to stage a protest today.
SIPTU, Fórsa and the INMO have organised the action in opposition to the implementation of the Health Service Executive’s (HSE) recent Pay and Numbers Strategy.
Its recruitment caps are particularly problematic, the unions saying healthcare facilities are prevented from recruiting staff to fill vacant posts which in turn is affecting community and acute health services, mental health and services to older people.
Those involved are due to gather outside the facility on the Freshford Road close to the city centre from 12:30pm to 1:30pm as part of a series of lunchtime protests across the country.
Next Monday (14th Oct) Fórsa members there and at other HSE employments in the region will be balloted for industrial action up to and including strike action.
Linda Kelly, an official with Fórsa’s Health & Welfare division, said continuing employment restrictions in the health sector is putting patient services under enormous strain: “Health workers are determined to take a stand, because they experience, first-hand, the negative effect it’s having on waiting times.
“While the HSE may maintain that the number of employees across the organisation has never been higher, the reality is that, against the backdrop of increased services and higher demands from an ageing demographic with more complex needs, the HSE remains under-resourced.
“The HSE has entered a process of chaotic downsizing, with arbitrary decisions being made regarding the non-filling of critical frontline positions. Our members’ ability to deliver safe services has now been severely compromised,” she said.
While Industrial Officer with the INMO, Gráinne Walsh, has been outlining her group’s stance to KCLR News;
Stay tuned as we’re due to link up to some of those involved in today’s action on The KCLR Daily.
