Hospital strike talks to resume

There is positive news for hospital patients who today faced disruption due to a dispute between hospital support staff and the HSE. SIPTU the union representing the staff who provide support services to medical professionals in the hospital system has agreed to return to talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) tomorrow. Ancilliary staff at Cavan general hospital joined the dispute and picketed outside the hospital. Welcoming the news that talks are to resume, local shopsteward, Helen Watters said she believes the HSE want to pay the agreed increase to the staff but that the Government are not honouring their commitments. She is hopeful the renewed talks can achieve something, but is warning of further disruption, “I'm very proud to see that they are going to do something about it, that they are taking us seriously. We'll take it from there...but we are back on the picket line Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week if nothing happens.” There are three more days of strike action planned for July, 2, 3 and 4.