Strike action amongst staff at Letterkenny University Hospital moved a step closer last night after members of SIPTU agreed to ballot for industrial action.
A spokesperson for the union which represents numerous staff including porters, cleaning staff and kitchen staff said they have simply had enough.
They are now coming out behind members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation who have also agreed to ballot on strike action on January 23rd next.
Letterkenny University Hospital is one of 40 hospitals around the country where SIPTU members have agreed to this action.
The SIPTU spokesman told ‘Donegal Daily’ “Enough is enough. We cannot take this any longer. The Government has from now until January 23rd or face the consequences.
“We are tired of patients being held to ransom and we will not stand by any longer while it happens.
“The simple reality is that we do not have enough nursing staff to cope and until these extra resources are put in place, this chronic overcrowding situation will continue.
“The ball is now in the Government’s court and they must act or industrial action will be taken.
“We do not want to take this action but we feel it is necessary to ensure that the welfare of patients is no longer threatened on a daily basis as is currently happening,” said the spokesman.
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