15,000 healthboard workers may strike over health system overhaul
Impact, the trade union representing the staff, says it is likely it will refuse to co-operate with the Government. The union's executive meets today to decide tactics. The way has been cleared for industrial action, up to, and including, strike action, without the need for further ballots.
It is likely the union will initially decide not to co-operate with the proposed administrative changes that will see health boards and other agencies replaced by the new Health Service Executive (HSE) in January.
Although the negotiations are continuing the union decided to ballot for industrial action about 15,000 members who work for the health boards and other organisations directly affected by the proposed changes.
The union has been looking for clarification before the summer on roles and responsibilities of staff throughout the system.
It is also looking for safeguards on job security and an assurance that there would be no compulsory relocations.
Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney this week warned of teething problems when the HSE takes over the running of the health service in January. Moving away from a model established over 30 years ago was not going to be an "overnight success".
Impact spokesperson Bernard Harbour said the union accepted everything was not going to be clarified before the New Year.
"It is incredible that we have got to this stage and there is such a lack of clarity," he said. Impact has identified what is needed to resolve the dispute:
A comprehensive framework that sets out how all staff issues should be dealt with as the administrative reform process unfolds.
Fundamental guarantees in key areas: pay, conditions, and relocation procedures.
An agreed process for dealing with these matters as the process unfolds.
"There will be hiccups; there will be uncertainties and we accept that," said Mr Harbour.
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