CONTRACT cleaners were back at work at one of the country’s busiest hospitals yesterday after nine days off the payroll in a row that saw 140 staff lose their jobs.

A TRADE union movement wants all workers in Waterford city to lend their support to almost 140 contract cleaners who were laid off on Monday in a festering pay dispute with their employer.

A PAY dispute between contract cleaners at Waterford Regional Hospital could escalate with staff refusing to enter into Labour Relations Commission talks without an up-front payment.