Important Information for GPs re Public Service (Including Health Services) Industrial Action

All Public Sector Trade Unions (including the IMO) are taking industrial action in response to the failure of Government to meaningfully engaged on a successor public sector pay agreement following the expiry of the last one in July.  The IMO is a member of the Public Services Committee where we represent all those doctors employed in the public health services and following an overwhelming mandate where our members voted 94% in favour of industrial action, we will be participating along with other unions in the action detailed below.

The IMO GP Committee fully supports this action and stands with colleagues, particularly our GP Trainees.

Work Stoppage 14^th October from start of shift to 5pm

Work To Rule Commencing 15^th October until further notice

Impact on Training Practices

• For those GP Practices which are Training Practice we ask that you support your trainees to participate in this action so as to secure both future pay increases and the outstanding IMO claim under the previous agreement to recognise GP Trainees as SpRs in terms of pay (starting with 4^th years).    
• In terms of the Work Stoppage on 14^th October – GP Trainees are NOT to attend work or any scheduled educational activities ((where trainees have already paid for an activity they can still attend).
• In terms of the Work to Rule from 15^th October – GP Trainees will work to their contract and are instructed not to undertake any unpaid hours.

Impact on all GP Practices

While GPs, as independent contractors, are not direct employees there will be an impact on GP services as the public health services will likely be operating on a Sunday/Public Holiday level of service and it is likely that all scheduled care and outpatient care will be cancelled for 14^th October. 

Additionally, there will be an impact on lab services, and we are in process with the HSE to determine the precise impact for GPs following which we will issue details to all GPs.

As GPs you know the importance of union representation and the value of the IMO – indeed many of you will have participated in Industrial Action during your own NCHD years so we ask that you support your trainees to participate in this action and actively encourage them to join the IMO which is the only trade union that can deliver for them in terms of contract, pay and conditions.

Thank you for your support and if you have any queries, please contact us at gpissues@imo.ie