The North Eastern Health Board was last night considering SIPTU proposals which the union claims would see the lifting of pickets on two hospitals in Drogheda. Non-nursing staff in the Cottage Hospital and St Mary's Hospital have been picketing since Tuesday morning. The NEHB said the dispute centred on the employment of an additional cook and problems arose over the rostering of the new post.
But SIPTU branch secretary Mr Michael Walsh says rostering, and not the new post, is the issue, and when a new roster came into effect on Tuesday morning, the industrial action began. Last night Mr Walsh said the union had submitted proposals to the board which would lead to a process being established that would result in a resumption of work. "If it is successful we will resume work tomorrow, if they are rejected, the dispute will go into next week."