90,000 public sector workers protest

MORE than 90,000 workers in the health and public services begin industrial action this morning in protest at pay cuts introduced by the Government in the budget last month.

The workers, members of IMPACT trade union and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation(INMO), will engage in a work-to-rule which will see them refusing to do certain overtime, be redeployed or carry out voluntary roles outside their contracts.

While the action is unlikely to impact upon services to the public initially – the unions say it is directed at management and the Government – the expected escalation in the coming weeks could lead to severe restrictions on key services, closure of hospital wards, and longer waiting lists.