The unions in Tallaght Hospital have warned management that if it starts making cutbacks in staff and services it will "almost certainly" result in industrial action.
The SIPTU and IMPACT unions expressed concern at reports that job cuts were to be announced next week to keep within budget for this year. They demanded immediate talks with management and complained that there had been no consultation between the unions and the chief executive since the hospital opened.
Mr Kevin Callinan, of IMPACT, which represents 400 staff, said they would not accept lay-offs of temporary staff. The union would ballot for industrial action if staff were laid off or vital services were cut. He called for an urgent meeting with the chief executive and with Department of health officials.
"This is not about personalities, it is about the lives of patients and the livelihoods of staff," he added. "There are two priorities now. First, to guarantee the best service to the people in Tallaght and its hinterland. Second, to stabilise the staff situation so that we can start to rebuild morale, which is now at rock bottom. Everyone should be working together to achieve these rather than engaging in pointless recriminations."
Mr Paul Bell, of SIPTU, said it was unacceptable that the staff should have their job security become the subject of media speculation, fuelled by management's deafening silence on the matter. SIPTU shop stewards and officials would meet on Monday to consider their response to this situation.
The hospital, in a statement, said the Department of Health had determined that its non-capital expenditure budget for 1999 was £64.69 million. This meant the hospital had to reduce costs by £4.8 million. "Increases in revenue, savings in pay and non-pay costs are among the options being considered."