A planned strike by hospital support staff on Thursday will have a significant impact on services, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has warned. Hospital managers are also warning of the potentially “crippling” impact of the strike on hospital services. Labour expressed “full support” for the industrial action and claimed the Government had “rowed back” on commitments made to health support staff. Speaking in the Dáil, Labour leader Brendan Howlin said it would be “an act of betrayal” for the State to go back on a commitment to pay health support staff following agreed job evaluations. The action will involve Siptu members who provide portering, household and catering services, and those employed as healthcare assistants, maternity care assistants, laboratory aides, chefs and surgical instrument technicians.

Source: The Irish Times June 19, 2019 00:56 UTC