Galway health union applauds marchers
galway |
worker & community struggles and protests |
news report 
Saturday September 11, 2010 15:42
by Paul Hardy - SIPTU Health Division
phardy at siptu dot ie
Trade union SIPTU, whose Health Division represents nurses, care assistants and support staff at Merlin Park Hospital In Galway, applauds the 500 people who marched from Merlin Park Hospital to Eyre Square today (September 11)
Called by orthopedic surgeons Mr Stephen Kearns and Mr William Curtin, the march was supported by SIPTU, community groups and members of the public. Councillor Derek Nolan (Lab), Cllr Padraig Conneely (FG), Padraic McCormack TD (FG) and Noel Grealish TD (Ind) also attended the march.
SIPTU Health Division organiser for Galway, Paul Hardy, said:
"Some local politicians have recently accused the Galway health unions, and SIPTU in particular, of scaremongering. We would now like to hear those same politicians either include the eminent surgeons who marched with us today in their accusation, or, better, use their privileged position on the Government benches to protect the world-class orthopaedic services at Merlin Park and the city’s other health services from creeping privatisation or outright closure."
"Today’s march was an excellent preparation for the Galway Says No to Health Cuts protest in a fortnight’s time. Only a coalition of health workers and concerned members of the public can stop the Government vandalising the city’s health services."
SIPTU and community group Galway Says No to Health Cuts are to stage another march and rally on Saturday September 25 (2pm) from the Cathedral to University Hospital Galway (UCHG).
