Five private hospital chains facing strikes over pay cuts

IRELAND’S five largest private hospital chains are set to be targeted by widescale strikes if staff are forced to accept “illegal” pay cuts of between 4%-10%.

In a surprise move yesterday management at the Bon Secours Hospital group, the Mater Private, Mount Carmel, St Vincent’s Private Hospital and the Hermitage Clinic said they were imposing unilateral cuts on all workers from January. The staff salary cuts, which will effect more than 6,500 people, range between 4% and 10%, with hospital management claiming the move is necessary because of expected losses next year from the private health insurance sector.

However, despite the comment both SIPTU and the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) have responded angrily to the move, with the unions warning it is in breach of existing employment laws and will result in widescale strike action across the sector.