THE union involved in a dispute with the management of University College Hospital, Galway, has urged the Minister for Health to intervene.
Ms Janet Hughes, regional secretary of SIPTU, which represents the 300 workers in the two day strike at the hospital, said the union was now calling on Mr Noonan to get involved in the dispute, which centres on a move by management to privatise hospital catering services.
"We strongly feel that the local management are not going to resolve this dispute.
"We are now looking to the Department of Health and the Minister to solve this problem," Ms Hughes said yesterday.
She also confirmed that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions would be balloting union members in the hospital concerning the staging of all out, one day strikes.
If the 800 or so union members voted in favour of such action, medical, nursing and technical staff would be involved in a move which would virtually close down the hospital.
Yesterday, for the second day in succession, pickets were placed at the hospital entrances, as 300 SIPTU staff continued their strike action, which ends this morning. A further three day stoppage is planned for August 21st 23rd.
Services were being operated yesterday by a combination of management and non union staff, mostly temporary student labour employed for the summer.
Hospital management said essential services were being maintained, with no cancellations of appointments or admissions. "The introduction previously of contract arrangements in cleaning and catering did not require a reduction in staff numbers, nor will it on this occasion.
"It is not proposed to reduce the numbers of permanent staff employed. Existing kitchen staff are being offered continued employment in catering or redeployment to other areas of the hospital," management said.