Tallaght hospital could face claims for over £1 million in compensation from staff who relocated there from other hospitals. The Irish Nurses' Organisation is to conduct a strike ballot of its 800 members and other unions, such as SIPTU and IMPACT, are expected to take similar action.
The claims follow a deal between the Eastern Health Board and the Psychiatric Nurses' Association of Ireland, which provides for 140 psychiatric nurses at St Loman's hospital in Clondalkin to be paid £2,075 each for transferring to Tallaght. Staff who transferred from other locations were paid only a lump sum of £900.
Yesterday, the INO's industrial relations director, Mr David Hughes, confirmed the union would be balloting members for industrial action. He said the PNAI award had "huge implications" for other staff. "When the £900 lump sum was agreed, it was based on a firm commitment from management that nobody would get more."
IMPACT national officer Mr Kevin Callinan, who represents over 400 paramedics, social workers, clerical and administrative employees, said his union had been watching developments at St Loman's and would be taking appropriate action. Psychiatric nurses at St Loman's agreed to the transfer only after difficult and protracted negotiations, as well as industrial action. The agreement was concluded at the end of last month.
Under its terms, the psychiatric services retain their autonomy within Tallaght. While the acute psychiatric unit will be located there, many of the staff will be involved in community-based work.
No comment was available from Tallaght hospital yesterday but health management sources said the agreement with the PNAI was concluded with the Eastern Health Board. Therefore, it did not breach either the letter or the spirit of the agreement reached with other staff earlier.
The sources added that the larger amount paid to PNAI members reflected the fact that many of them would be required to operate from various locations. The payments were therefore not alike.