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%.