SIPTU is to ballot its nursing and support staff members at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for industrial action.

The union says the ballot comes amid 'a number of ongoing disputes' with HSE management at the hospital.

John McCamley, SIPTU organiser, said the issues include "the non-implementation of a number of deals which were agreed at the Workplace Relations Commission concerning the filling of vacant posts, the use of contractors and the removal of shift pay from some support grades."

Mr McCamley says it is of 'deep concern' that agreed processes are not being implemented without 'undue delays'.

“SIPTU members are calling on management to agree to a reasonable timescale on approving the filling of all vacancies within the hospital. We are also asking management to reverse any cuts made to members’ pay and for it to uphold all the agreements it has reached with staff representatives," he added.