Last-ditch talks may halt strikes
Tomorrow’s threatened strike by mental health care workers may yet be averted as last-ditch talks between the two sides take place this afternoon.
Labour commission chairman, Finbar Flood is inviting the trade union IMPACT, which represents most of the care workers taking the industrial action, and health employers into the labour court to try and resolve the dispute.
Talks broke down at the Labour Relations Commission last night.
The pay row which threatens to close residential care for the mentally handicapped from tomorrow morning would affect hundreds of mentally handicapped people who would be sent home to their families.
Labour is criticising the government for the lack of intervention to resolve the dispute. Labour TD, Dr Mary Upton is calling for the Minster for Health and Children, Micheal Martin to step in to prevent the strike.
Dr Upton also says that many families, especially older parents, may not be able to cope with looking after their mentally disabled child.
