Day of Action expected to wreak havoc

Widespread disruptions are expected throughout Mullingar with strikes affecting transport, hospitals, council buildings and schools this Monday, March 30.The action is being taking by a number of unions in support of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions(ICTU) "There is a Better Fairer Way" campaign against the Government"s handling of the economy and the refusal of some employers to pay the national wage increase.SIPTU workers have agreed to take action in support of the ICTU campaign but IMPACT, the country"s largest public sector union, faced a massive setback when members voted 65 per cent in favour of action, one per cent short of the two third majority needed to sanction industrial action.However, SIPTU Branch Organiser Sean Nolan said his members 'were ready for action' and planned to picket a number of main offices and local authority buildings from 8am to 5pm on Monday.He said he expected hundreds of workers to picket a number of locations such as the hospital, tax office, library and Millennium House in Mullingar.In relation to IMPACT, Mr. Nolan questioned the likelihood of IMPACT members passing a picket even if they do decide not to take industrial action.Members of SIPTU feel aggrieved that 'public sector workers were scapegoated' while financiers and bankers are paying themselves big bonuses, added Mr. Nolan.Pickets are expected outside the Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar on Monday as the Irish Nurses Organisation confirmed their intention to strike in support of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.INO members voted by a majority of 76 per cent to support the Congress campaign.The mandate received, following this ballot, gives sanction to various forms of industrial action including work to rule, non co-operation, the placing of pickets and work place stoppages of short duration.Speaking on Monday, INO"s Midland Industrial Relations Officer Derek Reilly said he expected the picket to go ahead, 'we will do our best not to affect services', he added.According to Mr. Reilly, all essential care will remain in place but elective surgery and outpatients services might be cancelled for safety reasons. Mr Reilly said services could be further affected if IMPACT decide to join the dispute.A spokeswoman for the HSE said she could not comment on the situation as talks were ongoing. When asked about a contingency plan, she said 'if it happens there will be'.Westmeath County Council Director of Service Roibeard Ó Ceallaigh said discussions are ongoing with the unions to ensure the council"s essential services will be maintained.Speaking on Tuesday, Mr. O"Ceallaigh said the local authorities will sit down with the unions on Wednesday to ensure water, sewerage, fire, ambulance and other essential services are not affected.As IMPACT, who represent a large portion of administration and managerial staff, remain undecided, Mr. O"Ceallaigh said, 'in terms of opening the office, we don"t know yet'.Mr. O"Ceallaigh said the council have a good relationship with the unions. He expressed his belief that an amicable agreement would be reached if the action goes ahead.'I would pay tribute to the staff, indoor and outdoor, the staff have always responded if there"s a need and I thank the staff for that,' added Mr. O"Ceallaigh.Speaking from Cathedral House in Mullingar, Fr. Michael Kilmartin said, 'I"d say they[students] are going to be out and parents are going to have to keep them at home'.