Labour Court hearings due

Photo by OJO Images/Rex Features

Two hearings of the Labour Court relating to consultants were scheduled for this Thursday (October 25), one non-binding and concerned with historic rest days, with the other due to deal with rest days in future and the issue of payments to psychiatrists for second opinions, write Gary Culliton and Lloyd Mudiwa.

This latter hearing will result in a binding decision of the Court, as the matters at issue arise from the Public Service Agreement discussions at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

At talks on October 11, the HSE demanded full co-operation with LRC consultant work practice flexibility proposals by November 5.

The IMO, which is consulting with members, in accordance with the LRC plan, commented: “The IMO was not in dispute and was fully compliant with the Croke Park procedure.”

“The HSE had no plans, they could not even tell us what they would want our members to co-operate with on November 5.”

Meanwhile, IHCA Secretary General Martin Varley said: “None of the proposed changes referred to the Labour Court for hearings this week are within the scope of the specific health sector measures included in the Public Service Agreement.”

The Minister for Health stated last week that the Labour Court hearing had been scheduled for October 19.

“The Minister’s statement had no foundation. There was never a meeting scheduled for last Friday,” said Steve Tweed, IMO IR Director. “The matter had not been referred to the Labour Court and the Court had no documentation to say such a referral was even on its way.”