Strike averted as hospital rows back on proposed pay cuts

A POTENTIALLY crippling strike at a major Cork hospital has been averted.

Following talks with unions yesterday, management at the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) rowed back on proposals to cut premium payments to staff as part of a range of cost containment proposals designed to save €3.2 million.

About 400 of the hospital’s 1,200 staff – most of whom are nurses – would have been affected by the move which could have slashed their pay by up to 30%.

The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), which had begun balloting on industrial action, said it would now go back to its members to decide on a suspension of the ballot.

Trade unions at the 350-bed hospital had recently agreed draft proposals aimed at cutting costs when MUH management announced last week that it was cutting premium payments to staff.

Included in the proposed changes were:

nA deferral of increments.

nA change to flat-rate payment from double time for bank holiday work.

nSuspension of the Saturday allowance, worth about €14.

nA halving of the acting-up allowance, worth approximately €20 per week.

nSuspension of the unsocial hours allowance, worth time and a sixth.

The move sparked outrage and the INO and IMPACT, which represents porters and housekeeping staff, began balloting for industrial action. That process was suspended following yesterday’s U-turn on the premium payments issue.

The INO’s Michael Dineen said he was pleased that MUH managers “had seen sense”.

“The premium payments issue came like a bolt out of the blue. Our members were very upset at that and it undermined the process we were involved in,” he said.

“We don’t underestimate the task ahead given the financial difficulties MUH faces. Tough decisions will have to be made, but we are actively engaged in a process and are prepared to engage on all proposals like unpaid leave and term time. Everything has to be looked at.”

A further meeting is planned between management and unions next Thursday.

A spokesman for MUH said: “The financial difficulties of MUH remain of great concern and need to be fully addressed as speedily as possible.”