SERVICES at 40 hospitals and many health centres in the greater Dublin area seem set for further disruption on Friday because of a half day strike by manual workers. This is the second half day strike in 10 days. The strikers, members of SIPTU, are seeking an overhaul of their pensions scheme.
Talks to avert Friday's strike broke down at the Labour Relations Commission late yesterday. The LRC says its services are available if required over the neat few days, but management bang union sources were pessimistic last night that any common ground could be found
Without renewed talks the dispute is expected to escalate, with a 24 hour stoppage planned for February 28th.
The only significant progress at the LRC was an offer by management to include part time workers in the pension scheme Management also said it was willing to have the issues referred to the Pensions Commission.
However Mr Matt Merrigan of SIPTU said the cover offered to part time workers would not provide them with an occupational pension, only a lump sum on reaching 65. Before the union could consider referring the dispute to the Pensions Commission there would have to be progress on other issues and a reasonable deadline to the LRC's deliberations.
Mr Gerard Barry of the Local Government and Staff Negotiations Board however said the changes being sought by SIPTU were too wide ranging to be accommodated without follow on claims.
"It is particularly regrettable", he said, "that hospital services are being subjected to this scale of disruption when unions are trying to force through fundamental and far reaching changes in the pensions code."