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Monday, July 27, 2009
SECURITY staff at three hospitals in Limerick City have unanimously balloted in favour of industrial action following claims their employer has cut the hours of union members because of their refusal to forfeit monies owed over the past three years.
SIPTU balloted its members, all employees of Tralee-based Keg Security, last Thursday following what the union has described as a "unilateral change to workers’ terms of employment without agreement or consultation".
Workers were balloted last March in relation to other grievances, but SIPTU did not sanction industrial action at that time.
Keg Security employs 38 staff in the Limerick city area, most of whom are employed on a contract basis to the Health Service Executive (HSE). The staff provide security services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, the Regional Maternity Hospital and St John’s Hospital. Only 12 of the 38 are members of a union.
Staff have been in dispute with the company on several issues over the past three years, but Keg Security has consistently declined to comment on the matters. Workers have also made complaints to the National Employment Rights Agency (NERA).
A spokesperson said: "NERA does not comment on investigations or complaints made."
It is known that NERA, which is an office of the Department Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has initiated court proceedings against Keg in relation to employment issues.
It has also emerged that Keg Security’s last licence, issued on August 15, 2006, expired almost a year ago [August 2008] and has not been renewed. The current Private Security Authority (PSA) list of licensed contractors, dated July 24, 2009, indicates that Keg Security last held a licence in August 2008.
According to the HSE, "The Mid-Western Regional Hospital is aware of the current licensing arrangements regarding Keg who are in direct contact with the PSA regarding their licence renewal. The hospital has not been involved in relation to any internal disputes relating to Keg Security. However, the hospital will be monitoring the situation, to ensure that it is in a position to respond to any possible disruption."
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