IMPACT members working at St. James’s Hospital in Dublin are to be balloted in a dispute with management over proposals to unilaterally impose an annual charge of up to €500 for staff car parking.

Management at St James’s told staff just before Christmas that the planned introduction of car parking charges was linked to the construction of the new National Children’s Hospital on its campus. It said the development would result in a significant reduction in staff parking capacity. Siptu members at the hospital commenced a ballot on the issue earlier this month.

IMPACT assistant general secretary Catherine Keogh explained that the key issue for staff was that management failed to consult with them about the proposed charge. “This is effectively a pay cut by another name, as staff would have to earn 800-1000 euro in wages to cover this cost.

“IMPACT and the other unions attended a meeting last week with the hospital’s CEO Lorcan Birthistle, and other management, on the issue. Unfortunately no progress was made at the meeting.

“On foot of this a motion was unanimously passed at a meeting of the Dublin Hospitals branch to ballot members on the issue,” she said.

Preparations for the ballot are now underway, and is expected to commence shortly.