HSE work to rule set to end

The work-to-rule by administrative staff which has disrupted the collection of key financial data in the HSE is now set to end.

The Impact trade union has said it will, as requested in a new Labour Court recommendation, call off its work-to-rule provided the HSE agrees to abide by the terms of the recommendation.

Yesterday's recommendation said an agreement between management and unions in 2004, guaranteeing job security for employees after the transition from the old health board system to the HSE, should remain in place.

The Court said, however that the agreement would have to be modified to take into account the recent Croke Park deal on public service pay and reform.

The HSE is considering the Labour Court recommendation today.

The Court ruling brings to a likely end an increasingly bitter stand-off over the work-to-rule, which is in protest at public service pay cuts.

The HSE had threatened to suspend staff this week if the ban on processing financial data was not lifted.

Impact had said it could not consider lifting this ban until it received guarantees on job security in relation to the implementation of the Croke Park deal.

Public sector union members are currently being balloted on the Croke Park deal.

[Posted: Thu 06/05/2010]