Ward clerks at University College Hospital in Galway have this afternoon voted unanimously to begin industrial action to begin next Monday at 2pm. The vote was taken in protest at the decision to cut 169 jobs in the Western Health Board area.
The industrial action will take the form of a work-to-rule, and according to branch secretary Mr Colm Keaveney, they reserve the right to escalate the dispute if necessary.
Mr Keaveney attacked "the stealth-style job cuts" announced by the Government, and hopes that the industrial action will save jobs in the area.
"We believe all job can be saved," said Mr Keaveney, believing that, for the Government, "health is not a priority anymore."
Mr Keaveney believes that the Health Service in this country should not be affected by the downturn in the Irish economy. "Health needs to be immune from the overall economic situation," he said.
He hopes that the industrial action will have the minimum affect on patient care in the area.