Ninety SIPTU care officers at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum are expected to accept peace terms in their three-day strike in a ballot this weekend. They have agreed to work normally pending the outcome.
As a result more than 40 patients at the hospital will be able to resume normal association and be given full access to therapy.
Under the settlement, the striking care officers are to receive lump sums of about £3,000 as a down payment on future productivity. The main issues in dispute regarding rosters, gate duty and annual leave are to be referred to an agreed third party for resolution by the end of the month. A working party is to look at the development of services. A pay rise of 12.5 per cent for care officers is to be implemented from April 1st. The agreement also contains a no-victimisation clause. SIPTU is recommending acceptance of the offer, and the outcome of the ballot should be known by Monday.