Most are against public sector strikes

Nearly two-thirds of the public believe industrial action by public service workers in protest at pay cuts is not justified, according to the latest irishhealth.com viewers' poll.

A one day work stoppage in the public service took place on November 24 but a further day of industrial action  planned for Thursday was postponed this afternoon following a reported breakthrough in the talks between the Government and the unions.

The talks are due to reconvene tomorrow.

Both sides are discussing how to implement unpaid leave in the health and education sectors without having a detrimental effect on services. The unpaid leave proposal is proposed as an alternative to pay cuts for public service workers.

In addition to any potential effect on services caused by thousands of workers having to take extra unpaid leave, massive cuts in the health area are expected to be announced following the Budget as a result of the identified need to save €1 billion in 2010.

Changes in rostering in health and other public service areas are also being considered. A proposed new core working day of 8am to 8pm would reduce the amount of overtime payable to public sector workers.

In our poll, we asked our registered readers whether they thought public sector strike action was justified.

Fifty-seven per cent said no, 38% said yes and five per cent were unsure. Over 600 viewers voted in the poll.

View the poll results and comments, and the results of previous polls here

[Posted: Tue 01/12/2009]