Union and HSE set for Labour Court talks

The IMPACT union and the HSE will meet at the Labour Court this morning for talks on a row over cuts in the health service.

IMPACT members have been refusing to pass on financial information to management which the HSE says is placing it in a stranglehold.

Yesterday evening the Government and Irish Congress of Trade Unions issued a joint statement in relation to the dispute.

They asked the Labour Court to facilitate an urgent engagement between both sides - and that takes place this morning.

The dispute, which is part of a reaction to the public service pay cuts, means management are unaware of the extent of budget spending so far this year.

HSE boss Brendan Drumm says this is effectively reckless, while the Health Minister has warned that if the situation is not resolved, it will result in widespread cuts in services.

Both sides will meet at the Labour Court at 11.30am this morning.