Industrial Action Begins At Limerick Hospitals

Industrial action is being taken by the IMPACT union in the Limerick group of hospitals in protest at a €250,000 salary paid to its chief operations manager.

Staff at five hospitals are refusing to report to, or cooperate with, the manager from this week, the union said.

"The work-to-rule means staff will refuse to acknowledge instructions from the manager, provide data to him, co-operate with changes directed by his office, or agree to relocate, redeploy or change assignments if instructed," a statement from IMPACT said.

The union said the action would not affect service delivery, but said it could increase if staff are punished for refusing to work with the manager.

The action was supported in a ballot by 90% of the IMPACT members in Ennis general hospital, Limerick regional hospital, limerick maternity hospital, Croom orthopaedic hospital and Nenagh general hospital.

IMPACT assistant general secretary Andy Pike said: "The HSE director general has said the mid-west hospital group needs additional administration staff to provide vital services to patients. The money spent employing just one management consultant would cover the costs of at least five clerical staff to help the hospitals cope with increasing demands. In these circumstances, staff very much resent reporting to a senior manager who is being paid at least twice the correct rate for the job.

"While the hospitals group is expected to take steps to fill the chief operations manager post, it still appears that they are intent on retaining this consultant on a salary way above the proper rate for the job. Our action will continue until we get confirmation that the Starline contract is finished,” he said.

(IT/CD)