Impact, HSE to resume meeting tomorrow

The trade union Impact is to meet the Health Service Executive (HSE) tomorrow afternoon, after an initial meeting today ended without resolution.

Union representatives met with the HSE today in a bid to resolve an industrial dispute, which has led to around 28,000 healthcare staff operating a work-to-rule for the past three weeks.

Since May, Impact members have refused to cover posts left vacant by the HSE's recruitment freeze.

The health workers have also stopped co-operation with HSE advisors, blocked non-emergency overtime and out-of-hours work, and have halted co-operation with the HSE's transformation programme.

Earlier today, the union said it was "extremely sceptical" about the HSE's willingness to settle the dispute. A union representative said this afternoon's meeting was very short, but that discussions would resume tomorrow at 1.30 pm.

The union's members - who include professionals and therapists, social care workers, administrative and managerial staff - are protesting at the recruitment freeze, which it claims has led to 2,700 vital jobs remaining unfilled.

Impact workers at Wexford General Hospital protesting last week

Impact says this is hurting existing services and preventing the implementation of promised improvements in areas like primary care, disability services, mental health services and care for older people. It also claimed that 100 more jobs are to go in the Dublin/Mid Leinster region due to new cutbacks.

Last week, Impact stepped up its campaign of action with a series of lunchtime protests around the country.

Speaking earlier today, Impact national secretary Kevin Callinan said union members were determined to resist further cuts, but realistic about the chances of an early satisfactory outcome.

"We intend to be constructive in today's meeting. But health workers are bound to be sceptical about the prospects of an early resolution, not least because the HSE's staffing restrictions remain in place four months after the Labour Court ruled they were in breach of (the national agreement) Towards 2016," said Mr Callinan.

"Meanwhile, management continues to plan further cuts in staff and services, which are hurting patients and communities. We need to see concrete action, and a genuine change in attitude from the HSE, to protect public health services and resolve this dispute,” he added.

Mr Callinan said he would be seeking new HSE staffing policies and practices that ensure existing service provision as well as promised service improvements in areas such as primary care, elder care, disability, and mental health services.

He also said the HSE must acknowledge the Labour Court's ruing that management is in breach of Towards 2016and resume "genuine consultation and negotiation" over issues that affect staff and service levels.

Impact claims its industrial action strategy of targeting HSE bureaucracy while protecting patients has begun to put significant pressure on top management, particularly in areas like financial management and human resource reporting.

Full emergency and essential cover is still being provided during the dispute.