Members of Fórsa trade union working for the HSE and Section 38 Voluntary Hospitals have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.
The ballot was returned with 93.6% in favour of industrial action.
The ballot, which was conducted simultaneously with other health unions, was organised in response to the HSE’s suppression of thousands of vacant posts.
Fórsa said the suppression of these jobs means that existing health staff are forced to cope with an insufficient complement of staff in most departments.
The union said this is adversely affecting services to older people, in addition to community and acute services and mental health services and said current pressures on services are set to get worse as demand rises in the winter months.
Ashley Connolly, the head of Fórsa’s Health & Welfare division, said continuing employment restrictions are putting patient services under enormous strain: “The ballot result illustrates our members frustration and the challenges they’re facing every day. Our extensive survey of Fórsa members in health had already revealed the real struggles they are facing to deliver services.
“Waiting lists continue to grow, and it’s having a damaging effect on the morale of our members who continue to deliver services. They cannot operate indefinitely in circumstances where demand outstrips capacity. The HSE and the Department of Health need to wake up to that challenge. It can’t continue this way,” she said.
Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly added: “Our members have spoken clearly. This situation can’t be allowed to continue. Members have backed industrial action because the HSE doesn’t see fit to engage on this dispute
“Fórsa members’ have said they won’t back down while their capacity to deliver services has been severely compromised. They are taking a stand, and they won’t be ignored,” she said.
The Fórsa ballot had a turnout of 60.8%.
Health unions have engaged in several lunchtime protests at hospitals around the country in recent weeks. A lunchtime protest in Portlaoise today follows protests in Cavan, Cork, Clonmel, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Offaly, Sligo, Tralee and Tuam. A protest will take place tomorrow (Thursday 28th) at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin.
Fórsa’s divisional executive will meet next week to discuss the result and to consider next steps.
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