Dublin hospitals’ support staff vote for strike action

More than 1,500 support staff in six of Dublin’s largest hospitals have voted in favour of strike action which will be activated if any attempt is made to change their rosters without agreement, or reduce their pay with the introduction of interns.

The workers, members of Siptu, are employed in St Vincent’s University Hospital, Beaumont, the Mater, Tallaght and St Luke’s hospitals as well as the National Maternity Hospital in a range of roles including porters, catering operatives, laboratory assistants and sterilisation technicians.

Siptu health division organiser Paul Bell said the workers had voted 95% in favour of protective strike notice following “the unilateral decision by the various hospital managements to change work patterns”.