Health board to meet unions on job losses

The Western Health Board (WHB) will talk to local IMPACT representatives today about the threat of up to 200 job cuts among administrative…

The Western Health Board (WHB) will talk to local IMPACT representatives today about the threat of up to 200 job cuts among administrative and managerial staff.

The IMPACT union, which represents many of the workers in that sector, has warned of industrial action if the job cuts go ahead.

The meeting is part of wider talks with all health boards that are considering making cuts in this staffing sector following a Departmental directive to leave 800 posts "unfilled" nationally.

Yesterday, WHB chief executive officer Dr Sheelah Ryan met Department of Health and Children officials to discuss the threat of up to 200 lay-offs.

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The meeting had been prompted by an assertion last week by Dr Ryan that savings sought by the department as part of wider Government spending cuts would cost 200 jobs.

However, the Minister, Mr Martin, had insisted €1.15 million could be saved if the WHB did not fill 85 planned new posts. It is understood Dr Ryan told departmental officials the WHB did not have 85 unfilled jobs and that she could not guarantee there would not be job losses.