Christmas Day service for strike, say unions

THE country’s health services will be reduced to a “Christmas Day” operation with emergency cover only on November 24, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has been warned by trade unions.

Public sector unions met with HSE management yesterday and according to IMPACT national secretary for health Kevin Callinan, initially the managerial delegation outlined services it considered should be offered in spite of the 24-hour strike by public servants.

However, that was quickly dismissed by the worker representatives. “We told them it would be a Christmas Day-type close-down,” said Mr Callinan.