Security staff lift picket at Waterford hospital

The picket at Waterford Regional Hospital which led to the cancellation of 18 operations and disruption to other services was lifted this evening.

Siptu said the action had ended because of concerns for patient welfare. The union's regional secretary Mike Jennings said the workers had highlighted their plight and received support from other workers at the hospital and the general public.

The picketing workers were security staff who began their action at 8am this morning in protest at the loss by their employer, Sentry Security, of its contract at the hospital.

Siptu said the new security firm, Secureway, was refusing to employ the Sentry staff and intended to bring in new workers on lower rates of pay.

"Our members have made their point very clearly to Securway, and to hospital management, that just because people are on contract does not make them expendable," Mr Jennings said.

The picketers were later joined by a number of staff from ATGWU and TEEU, including nurses and porters.

Hospital management said they disappointed at the action considering the hospital was not involved in the dispute.

"The hospital is being used as a tool in an external industrial relations issue and is affecting patients who have been waiting for hospital appointments," it said.

Sentry Security had held the contract at the hospital for the past seven years, with some staff holding up to nine years service through the company and its previous employers at the hospital.

He said Siptu had contacted the new contractor to ensure the continuity of employment for members under the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations, 2003. However, the company insisted it the legislation was not applicable.

The issue will come before the Labour Court on Thursday.

Mr Jennings said the issue shows the 'race to the bottom' in the workplace was "not restricted to migrant workers, or the private sector".