Health Service Executive (HSE) management has rejected a claim by Siptu on behalf of some 30,000 healthcare staff for a similar reduction in the working week to that secured recently by nurses.
Siptu had sought the introduction of a 37.5-hour week (moving later to a 35-hour week) for paramedics, healthcare assistants, childcare workers, as well as porters and catering staff, in the wake of the deal that ended the seven-week dispute by 40,000 nurses.
Under this deal, the Government agreed to introduce a 37.5-hour week for nurses from next June and to establish a commission to look at how a 35-hour week could be introduced.
Siptu is now to refer its own claim for a reduced working week to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
Siptu national industrial secretary Matt Merrigan told The Irish Timesthat an LRC conciliation hearing was unlikely to be scheduled until the autumn. He said that, based on the position of the HSE as set out in the correspondence to the union, the case was likely to go ultimately to the Labour Court.
In a letter to Siptu last week, the HSE said that the national agreement, Towards 2016, did not provide a mandate for the consideration of a cost-increasing claim.
It said that, on the contrary, the agreement specified that no such cost-increasing claim would be made or processed other than through the benchmarking process.
The HSE said the recommendations of the National Implementation Body (NIB) in respect of the working hours for nurses and midwives were framed in the context of social partnership agreements and a number of Labour Court decisions specific to that group.
The HSE letter said the NIB recommendations were also predicated "on a requirement that any reduction in the working hours of nurses must be achieved on a cost neutral basis, without diminution of service to patients".
"You will be aware," the HSE letter continued, "that the two-phase approach proposed by the NIB includes the establishment of a commission . . . to produce an independent assessment of how a 35-hour week for nurses can be achieved.
"The NIB has also recommended that the Labour Court should develop proposals as to how the second phase of hours reduction should be implemented . . . including validation of the time frame for implementation.
"In particular, the NIB has said that the [ Labour] Court should be invited to recommend how the technical analysis, local engagement and impact on the roles and duties of other grades and professions should be managed to secure the highest standards of efficiency and confidence," the HSE letter stated.
In a replying letter, sent on July 11th, Mr Merrigan said he rejected the premise of the HSE view on the issue.
"I would advise you that the union considers the claim, as presented, to be rejected by the employers.
"In accordance with procedures, the claim will be referred to the Labour Relations Commission," he said.
Siptu is one of a number of unions expected to seek a reduced working week for members on foot of the deal between the Government and nurses.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has signalled its intention to submit a claim for a reduction in the standard week for some 4,000 non-consultant hospital doctors.
Meanwhile, gardaí have also indicated they too will seek reduced working hours following on from the deal reached with nurses.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said public sector groups seeking a reduction in their working week would have to offer productivity and work practice reforms in return. She said such a move could not cost the taxpayer more money or lead to a reduction in services for customers or patients.
