Strike action is to kick off this morning at St James’ Hospital in Dublin over the suspension of electricians in a health and safety dispute, reports the Examiner.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union will place pickets on the hospital this morning from 8am after several electricians were suspended.

The hospital has moved to reassure patients that there will be no disruption to hospital services despite the action.

A union rep told the Examiner that ‘the only thing the electricians did were to lock electricial panels to prevent unqualified personnel from accessing the panels’.