Strike action by health support staff in North West must be avoided – Mac Sharry

Fianna Fáil TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Marc Mac Sharry, has said both the Minister for Health and Minister for Finance must work together and liaise with SIPTU reps to try avoid the upcoming 24 hour strike planned by health support staff this Thursday.

He commented, “It is paramount that this strike action is avoided. The Minister’s must work with SIPTU representatives to address the issues for the sake of health services across Sligo, Leitrim, Roscommon, and Donegal.

“Already this year we’ve seen 35,000 Irish nurses and midwives take industrial action and the effects of that left the entire hospital network reeling. If the 10,000 health support staff go through with their strike action, 38 hospitals across Ireland will be under immense pressure to deliver services for their patients.

“At the nub of the issue is the Government’s commitment to carry out a job evaluation scheme for health care assistants, maternity care assistants, laboratory aides, and surgical instrument technicians as well as chefs, porters and household and catering employees.

“During negotiations on the last Public Service Stability Agreement the Government agreed to carry out job evaluations to ascertain where and how job roles had changed and if remuneration should be increased to match any changes.

“Health support staff are vital for the smoothing running of our hospital services. The Government must not take them for granted,” concluded Deputy Mac Sharry.