Talks to be held to avert hospital strike

Negotiations will be held this week in a bid to avert a strike by staff at six psychiatric and geriatric hospitals.

Trade union leaders will meet health service chiefs for talks starting tomorrow at the Labour Court in Dublin.

Ward attendants, who carry out basic medical duties, such as changing dressings at the hospitals, have accused health bosses of reneging on a promise to increase their pay by 8%.

Non-nursing staff, such as porters and caterers, at the six Dublin sites - St Mary’s, St Ita’s, Bru Chaoimhin, Clonskeagh, St Brendan’s and St Colmcille’s - may also join a walkout in support of the attendants unless the pay rise is given.

Representatives from the union Siptu said staff at five other hospitals had been paid the award following a Labour Court decision in July last year.

But the Health Services Employers Agency said a national pay benchmarking programme already addressed the ward-attendants’ grievances.

Ward attendants at the six hospitals held a 24-hour stoppage recently.

And a ballot of non-nursing staff was called off on Friday when the head of the Labour Court, Finbar Flood, invited both sides for talks.