SIPTU has demanded assurances for the safety of its workers following a violent dispute between two employees at University College Hospital. A young man who is employed there had to be treated at the hospital's accident and emergency department following the punch-up between workers. The junior employee has not made a formal complaint regarding the incident, which happened on 19 December.

The HSE has now confirmed it is investigating "an alleged incident" but said it had received no complaint.

SIPTU is not happy with the HSE response and has formally withdrawn from negotiations with hospital management in protest. The union says it will not re-enter discussions with the HSE until such time as the safety of its members working at the hospital is guaranteed in writing.

The alleged incident happened on the Saturday morning before Christmas when a row broke out in a public space between two wards.

The row quickly turned violent and the junior employee was left with blood streaming from a facial injury. Colleagues of the two workers intervened and hospital security had to be called. The junior employee was taken to the A&E department in the hospital for treatment.

The young man has discussed the incident with his union SIPTU, but it is understood he has not made a formal complaint. SIPTU Galway Branch Organiser, Colm Keaveney said he had instructed his members not to attend local meetings with management until the matter was fully investigated and satisfactory assurances received.

Mr Keaveney, who is a Labour Party councillor on Galway County Council, said SIPTU was taking a very serious view of the matter.

"We will not be engaging with hospital management until they can satisfy us in writing that the safety and personal security of our members are protected. They have failed, so far, to do this," he said.

"SIPTU is not willing to engage with any management who can't guarantee the safety of our members," he added.

Comments (1) »

Shocking
written by Ron Montana, February 03, 2010

This should not happen.
Let them go fighting in a boxing ring not in a public place

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