Strikes to hit mental handicap units

MENTAL handicap services at 50 residential care centres could be hit after a nurse’s ballot in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay.

Registered Mental Handicap Nurses, angered that less-qualified workers in the sector have secured higher salaries, have voted in favour of strike action, up to and including, withdrawal of labour.

Health Service Employer’s Agency official John Delamare said if this happened, services other than residential could be affected.