SIPTU members to picket outside Cavan General

Protests take place in Cavan, Sligo and Tuam.

SIPTU members will protest HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy in Cavan later today, Wednesday, October 16.

A picket will be staged outside Cavan General from 12.30pm where SIPTU and colleague health unions will continue the campaign of opposition to the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy this week.

Of key issue of concern for SIPTU members is staffing levels nationally, with the HSE’s employment census data demonstrating that many key, front-line roles have not benefited from record levels of investment in the health service.

SIPTU Organiser, Luke Bell, who organises members in Cavan General Hospital, meanwhile stated that local union members are "deeply frustrated" at the lack of recruitment in certain areas of the hospital and are "concerned about the potential impact" on services.

"It’s clear to them that the HSE’s policy on recruitment is not fit for purpose and places an effective embargo on the recruitment of staff.”

Mr Bell said: “We believe that this policy needs to be reversed, so we can have meaningful, local engagement with the employer to resolve local recruitment issues where they are arising.”