IMPACT ballot on car park charges in St. James’s Hospital
by Patricia O’Mahony
SIPTU members at St James’s Hospital have voted in favour of strike action, by a 93% majority, in response to management’s proposals to impose annual car parking charges of €500 for staff. IMPACT members at the hospital are continuing their ballot, which closes on Friday, 26th February.
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.
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,” she said
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