Unions issue strike notice to Mater Private

SIPTU and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Union (INMO) have served a strike notice on the Mater Private Hospital in Dublin which could effectively close the hospital down.

The unions are also balloting in other private hospitals, including those run by the Bon Secours and Mount Carmel groups, with further strikes announcements expected.

The unions say they have decided to press ahead with a strike in the Mater Private because of management’s decision to impose pay cuts of 5% to 7.5% on staff salaries in line with the cuts in the public service announced in the budget.