SIPTU support staff and health care assistant grades working in Our Lady of Lourdes and Louth County Hospitals have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute concerning management's failure to address pay adjustments for former interns. SIPTU Industrial Organiser, John McCamley, said: “The dispute centres around the implementation of a national agreement negotiated between SIPTU and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to recognise previous service for interns working in support grades. Previously, these staff had to endure reduced rates and uncertainty regarding their permanent employment during the downturn. The national agreement hoped to rectify this with the recognition of incremental credit due to be applied for the time they served while on the intern scheme.” He added: “Louth Hospital Group which includes Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk have failed to implement this agreement and employs a high percentage of former interns. SIPTU members are also in the process of balloting in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin due a similar dispute regarding the implementation of this agreement.”
SIPTU members vote in favour of industrial action in the Louth Hospital Group
