HSE Workers Fight Pay Cuts

A campaign against pay cuts by civil and public service workers has increased in intensity today as Health Service Executive workers announce a plan to extend industrial action this week.

From 9am this morning until 1pm, HSE workers in the Dublin and northeast region will stop answering telephones.

IMPACT trade union, which represents mental health social workers, psychologists, allied health professionals and other staff, is using the action to pressure the Government into "delivering on its commitments to improved mental health services".

This action will move to a different HSE region each day, affecting HSE west on Wednesday, HSE south on Thursday and the HSE Dublin and mid-Leinster region on Friday.

IMPACT national secretary for health Kevin Callinan criticised what he called "slow progress in implementing the Government’s 'Vision for Change' strategy".

“We must have the extra health professionals promised in Vision for Change if we are to truly break out of the institutional model with its medical focus," he said.

Mr Callinam added: "Minister Moloney has taken a courageous stand on mental health issues and I implore him now to ensure that they are kept to the top of the agenda so that we get the extra health professionals, the new specialties and the high quality community infrastructure that these service users need and deserve."

IMPACT represents over 30,000 health workers many of whom are located in mental health services.

(DW/BMCC)