Speaking today Mr. Eric Young (Assistant Director of Industrial Relations at the IMO) said that the IMO was now resigned to having to take the industrial action because of the failure of the HSE to “step up to the plate” in respect of the issue of sanctions.

Facts about NCHD Strike
The IMO has also set out its position in respect of key issues raised in recent days.

1. HSE and Minister claims there is little between the parties
This is incorrect; there are substantive issues that remain between the parties following discussions at the LRC.

o Sanctions: HSE proposals on sanctions lack any credibility and make a mockery of commitment to reduce hours

o Accountability: There is no real accountability contained in the HSE proposals when they seek to put responsibility on doctors to implement EWTD

o Health and Safety: The HSE will not agree to Health and Safety Audits in hospitals where shifts of over 24 hours continue

o Credibility: The HSE have a long track record of broken promises on this and many other issues and the IMO must be assured that any agreement reached can be implemented and will be implemented. Without agreement on key areas of sanctions and accountability there can be no progress.

o Trust: The HSE have had ten years to meet their legal obligations and on every occasion have failed.

2. The NCHD Strike is NOT about pay
The IMO proposals to eliminate illegal working hours will reduce the State’s pay bill.

This has nothing to do with the Haddington Road Agreement as it is not a cost increasing claim by the IMO. In fact there is no claim by the IMO merely a protective sanction to safeguard the integrity of the Agreement. If the HSE do their job and deliver upon their commitments sanctions will not be an issue.

The IMO are not seeking triple time for doctors they are only seeking the standard payment that is normally made plus time in lieu for hours worked over 24 and where such time cannot be granted within 3 months the doctor will receive a payment of one hour at standard time for hours worked in excess of the 24 maximum roster


3. This Strike is about protecting doctors and patients

Minister claims strike will harm patients – it is the current illegal practices of the HSE and the Minister that put patient safety at risk

The evidence around long working hours is indisputable, tiredness means mistakes and the Minister must take responsibility

4. LRC
The IMO acknowledge the work undertaken by the LRC in terms of the dispute to date but, given the HSE stance and the manner in which proposals have been published the IMO will not return to the LRC to discuss proposals that will not meet the reasonable demands of NCHDs.

The Minister is well aware of the requirement of trust and confidentiality between the parties during negotiations and the ham fisted manner in which the HSE has behaved make any engagement futile in the current circumstances.

5. NCHDS forced to take strike action
NCHDs are being forced to take action because of the inaction of the HSE and Minister. This action will ensure that:

The HSE and Minister take responsibility for illegal hours and are accountable for delivering safe and legal work practices

Patient and doctor safety are protected and the current unsafe work practices come to an end once and for all

Ends