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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Priority Questions. - Health Workers' Pay Claim.

Alan Shatter

Question:

9 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children if the dispute with the Alliance of Health Service Unions relating to the claim for extra payments for the period from 8 a.m. on 31 December 1999 to 8 a.m. on 2 January 2000 has been resolved; and if he will assure the public that hospital services will be properly maintained over the new year period. [26665/99]

To finalise the arrangements for the period from 8 a.m. on 31 December 1999 to 8 a.m. on 2 January 2000, a Labour Court hearing was held yesterday, 14 December 1999. Representatives of the alliance of health trade unions were in attendance, as was a group comprising officials from the Department of Finance, the Health Services Employers' Agency, my Department and a number of health service providers. I await the chairperson's decision on this issue.

I assure the public that every effort is being taken to ensure hospital services will be fully maintained over this period.

When does the Minister expect to receive the decision from the chairman of the Labour Court?

That is a matter for the chairman but the Deputy can take it that it will be as soon as he has had an opportunity to listen to the submissions made. I am sure his decision is imminent.

I wish to give some background information for the benefit of the House. On 21 April last, the HSEA advised the chief executive officer of each health service agency that special arrangements needed to be put in place for the millennium period. Following that, each agency notified its staff. Meetings aimed at resolving this issue commenced on 5 July when the alliance of health service unions first met management in relation to both staffing requirements and pay. At a subsequent meeting on 28 July, management agreed to present the unions with service plans locally. On 28 September, the management group committed to finalising the service plans and to process annual leave applications. The alliance of health service unions officially notified the HSEA of their claim on 7 October. The unions involved were notified of the public holiday arrangements on 29 October. Both parties then met the Labour Relations Commission on 2 December and again on 8 December.

The following was agreed. Staff who traditionally would have expected to be off duty on 29 and 30 December as a result of enjoying privilege or concession days and who this year attend work at the request of management on such days to meet the additional staffing requirements associated with the millennium contingency plan will receive, in respect of each such day, an alternative two days off at times to be agreed locally and on a non-replacement basis. Staff who attend for duty on 28 December and-or 3 January will be dealt with on a local custom and practice basis or in accordance with collective agreements. The option of overtime at normal overtime rates will be offered, in addition to the normal week's pay.

The claim for the period from 8 a.m. on 31 December to 8 a.m. on 2 January 2000 was the subject of a Labour Court hearing yesterday and no recommendation has been made by the chairman at this point.

May I ask the Minister, first, if both sides have agreed that they will accept whatever recommendation is made by the chairman of the Labour Court? Second, will the Minister accept there is a vital public interest in ensuring that our hospital services are properly maintained over the new year period? Third, will the Minister not agree that as the millennium has been well posted, these issues should have been dealt with before the Labour Court some weeks ago, and that it is leaving it a bit late to have a Labour Court hearing on 14 December?

As the Deputy will be aware, the arrangements that are made by both the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court on the timing of any hearing in respect of a claim which was submitted on 7 October is a matter for the independent institutions. In fairness, there has been much discussion and co-operation and agreement reached at a local basis on many of these matters. On the outcome of the Labour Court recommendation, it is not practice to pre-empt matters or to say anything until the Labour Court chairman has an opportunity to give his recommendation, but the Deputy will be aware of the traditional Government position on these matters.

Is there a danger the recommendations may not be accepted by one side and that we could be confronted, less than two weeks before the new year, with the possibility that medical and hospital services will not be properly maintained over that period due to an industrial dispute?

It would not be helpful to speculate on any of these matters. As I said, they are being held in a good atmosphere. Issues have been resolved at local level between the parties. It was always the case that some issues would have to be referred for independent decision. That is a normal industrial relations practice and no one should anticipate that good IR practice in relation to Labour Court recommendations will not be observed in this case as they have been in others.

Can the Minister guarantee that we will have those services over the millennium period?

I can assure the Deputy that every effort is being made and contingency plans are in place and are agreed, subject to one or two outstanding matters, including this matter. A number of advertising campaigns are currently taking place to ensure accident and emergency services are reserved for appropriate cases, particularly given the level of activity that will be generated over the period, in the interests of best patient care and in the interests of staff who are making themselves available.

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