IMO says industrial action possible over cuts

The Irish Medical Organisation has warned that industrial action by doctors is a possibility if the Government seeks to impose cuts under the proposed new Croke Park agreement.

Doctors at their annual conference decided that the organisation would not be bound by any decision on ratification of the proposed deal by the public service committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions when it meets on April 17th.

The organisation's assistant director of industrial relations, Shirley Coulter, said the new Croke Park proposals were bad for public service workers and would not lead to growth in the economy.

She said the organisation and a number of other unions opposed to the Croke Park proposals, such as the Civil Public and Services Union and Unite, would meet on Thursday and consider a draft letter to be sent to the public services committee which maintained that "a Yes vote through congress would not equate to a collective agreement".

She said other unions such as the Irish Federation of University Teachers, the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants and the Teachers Union of Ireland would also be attending the meeting.

Last resort
Asked whether there was potential for industrial action over the Croke Park proposals, Ms Coulter said: "The IMO is a trade union and industrial action is always an option for us. Obviously it is a last resort but we are adamant that these proposals are bad for public service workers. We will use whatever means we have to ensure that these proposals are not implemented."

IMO members are balloting on the Croke Park proposals and Ms Coulter said the focus was on securing a No vote.