Local SIPTU branch organiser Denis Hynes told the Kilkenny People that if the proposed cuts are introduced in the budget many families will be facing a bleak Christmas.

"There is huge concern out there that members are cut to the bone already. If the Government proceeds with their plans a lot of members are not going to have a Christmas at all. My job as a union representative is to represent the members as best as I can," he said.
From early morning, hundreds of workers filed past the entrance of St Luke's Hospital which was only providing emergency cover for patients. Staff worked without pay around the clock to provide services at the hospital for patients.

Aine Glynn, city administrator in Kilcreene Hospital said that as a public servant she has already taken a 7% pay cut. "We're not to blame for the state that the country is in, it's not our fault. Not all of us are on higher earnings, 90% of public servants earn under f60,000. We are all aware that the country is in crisis," she added.

Genevieve Corrigan who is a strike organiser with the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) said that there were myths being circulated about job security in the public sector. "I have no job security. I have been working at St Luke's Hospital for two and a half years and have redeployed several times. I probably won't get a permanent position due to the downgrading of St Luke's Hospital. Once the motorway from Dublin to Waterford opens St Luke's will basically function as a medical and not an acute hospital," she said.

"Since the embargo on March 26, nurses are not being replaced and student nurses have no jobs. They have been trained here for export and we are working in a Third World healthcare system," she added.
"Morale among public servants is at an all-time low. Before when someone came into work and announced they were pregnant, people were happy, but now workers have to cover for each other when they are off on maternity leave," added Ms Glynn.

Dave Swain, an Accident and Emergency nurse also openly spoke about his frustrations at how he is being treated by the government and depicted in the media. "My life was threatened by a patient last week. Almost everyday things like this happen in the A and E department. There is also a concerted media campaign led by the Fianna Fáil press to demonise us," he added.

Shop steward with SIPTU nursing, Breda Liston said that there had been a positive reaction from passers-by and members of the public. "All we are asking is that there is a prudent and pragmatic reaction from the government and that they re-evaluate the situation. The public are not going to tolerate bullying in any shape. I am a lone parent with two children, I simply can't afford to take another cut." she added.

Members of the different trade unions who represent hospital workers were also joined on the picket lines by a patient who was eager to show his solidarity. "I have been in hospital for the past month. I see them doing their work and I don't think that they get half enough. That's the truth, they're hitting the wrong people," Matt Nolan told the Kilkenny People.
Hundreds of teachers, local authority workers and members of Kilkenny Fire and Rescue also took to the picket lines early yesterday morning.