TALKS IN BONS SECOURS DISPUTE RESUME TODAY

Date Published: 05-Feb-2010

Talks aimed at resolving the Bons Secours dispute will continue today.

Both sides in the dispute engaged in a marathon session yesterday at the Labour Relations Commission and will resume talks this afternoon.

They’re trying to hammer out a deal to prevent a strike at the group’s hospitals in Renmore, Dublin, Cork and Kerry on Monday.

Talks continued until 6am today when both sides agreed on an adjournment until this afternoon.

The dispute revolves around pay cuts introduced at the beginning of last month.

Unions say they’re angry this cut was imposed without consultation.

Management claim they had to implement the reduction because of failing revenue due to a drop in income from private health insurers.

Negotiations remain in deadlock today and strike action is still in place, according to a SIPTU representative.