SIPTU members in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services to strike on 14th February

SIPTU members in the catering and household departments of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services on James Street, Dublin 8, will commence an strike, in a dispute concerning the outsourcing of services, at 7.00 a.m. on Friday, 14th February. SIPTU Organiser, Aideen Carberry, said: “The decision to conduct strike action by our members is in response to their employer’s decision to outsource the household and catering services of the organisation to other companies without consultation or agreement. Our members, in the household and catering departments, voted unanimously earlier this week for strike action. “Their employer was formally notified today (Friday, 7th February) of the decision to commence this action on 14th February. Our members will operate pickets at the entrances to the facility from  7.00 a.m. on 14th February and carry out no further duties until management agrees to engage with their trade union representatives in order to achieve an agreed solution to this dispute. “Our members have attempted to engage the employer in a conversation about alternatives to outsourcing which the employer has not considered. They regret that their strike action has become necessary. However, they are resolute in having the employer address their concerns.” She added: “Our members are of the view that any outsourcing will have a detrimental impact on services in the hospital. It is extraordinary that a long established mental health provider would take such action that is causing such anguish among its staff.”