A Labour Court hearing aimed at resolving the health support workers dispute has been adjourned until next week.
10,000 support workers and chefs from 38 hospitals and health centres are involved in the dispute.
It revolves around a job evaluation scheme which the workers took part in under the Public Service Pay Agreement.
The evaluation found the staff are underpaid and should be shifted to a higher band.
However, unions say the Government has failed to live up to their commitments under the agreement.
Thousands of surgeries and appointments were cancelled when the workers involved took to the picket lines for the first 24-hour strike last month.
Three further planned strike days were deferred last week to allow for a Labour Court hearing.
Speaking today, SIPTU said the hearing has been adjourned at the court's request after three days of 'intensive engagement'.
Health divisional organiser Paul Bell said: "All the issues of concern that led to 10,000 health workers taking strike action last week were robustly presented by SIPTU representatives.
“SIPTU representatives are satisfied members of the Labour Court have full knowledge of our members grievances over the implementation of a job evaluation scheme and what may be necessary to resolve this ongoing dispute.”
The hearing will resume next Wednesday at 3pm.
Additional reporting by Michael Staines
Main image: Paul Bell, SIPTU Health Divisional Organiseras speaking to the press as he entered the Labour Court on July 3rd. Photo: RollingNews.ie
