Striking Mt Carmel workers to vote on new proposals

Catering workers at Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin are due to take a vote this morning on proposals aimed at ending their week-long dispute at the private facility.

Around 65 staff began strike action last week after they were told that their jobs were being transferred to an external company.

Proposals aimed at ending the stand-off were agreed between SIPTU and hospital management during talks at the Labour Relations Commission yesterday.

They are believed to include guarantees on pay and conditions irrespective of which contractor is selected to provide catering services.

The workers will vote on the deal today, but will maintain their pickets until the result of the ballot is known.