Fórsa has said the HSE has allowed a dispute with perfusionists to escalate unnecessarily, as industrial action by its members gets underway today (Tuesday).
Twenty-five Fórsa members working as perfusionists across five hospital groups have begun a series of work stoppages in a dispute about pay and the HSE’s failure to implement a Labour Court recommendation (LCR23209). Further stoppages are planned for next Tuesday (16th June) and Wednesday (17th June).
Perfusionists are highly specialised cardiovascular professionals who play a critical role in life-saving cardiac and complex surgical procedures.
The dispute arises from the HSE’s unilateral decision to break a long-standing pay link between perfusionists and medical scientists, and its subsequent refusal to implement a Labour Court recommendation, issued in January, which directed that the link be restored with retrospective effect to 1st January 2024.
Fórsa national secretary Linda Kelly said the situation should never have reached this point: “Responsibility for this industrial action lies squarely with the HSE, which has failed to implement a clear Labour Court recommendation. The disruption today could have been avoided.
“Our members have shown considerable restraint and professionalism throughout. They are now taking action to secure the implementation of an agreement that has already been independently adjudicated.
“It is unacceptable that the HSE has allowed this situation to escalate, particularly given the critical role perfusionists play in patient care,” she said.
Rob Regan, a perfusionist at Dublin’s Mater Hospital, said members had been left with no alternative: “No healthcare worker takes industrial action lightly, especially in a role as critical as ours. We are committed to patient care, but we are also entitled to fair treatment.
“The Labour Court has already made its recommendation. All we are asking is that it be honoured. It is frustrating and concerning that the HSE has allowed the situation to reach this point rather than resolving it,” he said.
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