Health Workers Urged Not To Co-Operate With Job Freeze

Unions in the health service are reportedly asking their members to begin a campaign of non-co-operation with the recruitment freeze being imposed by the HSE.

A number of unions including IMPACT, SIPTU and the Irish Nurses Organisation have already agreed to resist the temporary move, which has been introduced in an effort to reign in a €240m budget over-spend.

They say the ban on new staff will lead to a lower standard of service and hamper patient care.

Reports this morning say the unions are not ruling out work stoppages and public protests, but they are waiting for a HSE review in October before taking any such action.

In the meantime, they are reportedly set to issue a joint letter today asking members not to undertake any new duties or provide cover for positions that are not being filled because of the job freeze.