Members working for the HSE and Section 38 Voluntary Hospitals have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action.

The ballot of members closed earlier this week, after running for over a month. The ballot was returned with 93.6% in favour of industrial action, with a turnout of 60.8%.

The ballot was organised in response to the HSE's suppression of thousands of vacant posts as part of their ‘Pay and Numbers’ strategy which the union has called a ‘recruitment embargo’ by any other name.

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.

Since late September union members have been protesting outside hospitals around the country. This week members at Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, and ST. Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin became the latest to protest outside their workplaces. To date 14 protests have taken place in Cavan, Cork, Clonmel, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Offaly, Sligo, Tralee and Tuam. 

At yesterday’s protest at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin, members reacted to the ballot result, saying: "It's a really great result. We are really frustrated and feel really strongly about this issue. Morale is very low." 

Fórsa's divisional executive will meet next week to discuss the result and to consider next steps.

A meeting of the Health & Welfare Divisional Executive Committee is scheduled to take place next Wednesday 4th December to discuss the result and decide what form the industrial action will take.

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