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Earlier this year the HSE brought proposals to the National Joint Council in relation to extending services hours of operating. The INMO along with other health trade unions, considered the initial proposals and were adamant that proposals seeking to reduce or remove protections already achieved through the 2008 Framework Agreement would not be accepted.
Over the course of several weeks your representatives have negotiated with the HSE and a final principles document is now agreed. This can be viewed here.
A Circular has issued to the system. This does not mean that all services will be automatically changed. The Unions have ensured the retention of the 2008 Agreement on the Extended Working Day and other Labour Court Recommendations which require that where a service is considering changes in rostering arrangements and working hours, the HSE is required to engage in a process with staff and their representative organisations.
The INMO has other pre-existing agreements with the HSE regarding out of hours working which will remain unaltered e.g. Out of Hours, Theatre Agreement etc.
The vast majority of INMO members already work 24/7 and there is no change to these rosters.
What happens if there is a dispute about the changes:
Where proposals have been presented to the Union side and there is disagreement there is a disputes procedure which consists of a referral to a Joint Review Group. A Joint Review Group is comprised of external union representatives who examine proposals for change and seek to reach agreement between he parties. If no agreement is reached through this group the next step is to refer the dispute to an independent adjudicator, who would issue a recommendation on the changes. Any proposal to extend services must be based on maintaining safe staffing.
For staff employed before 16th December 2008 there is no liability to change your existing working arrangements, unless you agree to do so on a voluntary basis. For staff employed after 16th December 2008 where the service is changing, this could mean services being extended from 8.00am to 8.00pm and a Saturday service and you may be requested to change your roster. This can only happen when the necessary procedure has been followed in full.
Where staff are required to change their working hours roster, earnings levels are protected including, the pre-existing premium payment. It is agreed that this Circular will be reviewed in four months by the parties.
The proposed Circular will be considered by the INMO National Executive Council at its meeting this week. A copy of the Circular can be obtained from the link below:-
https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/hr-circular-009-2025-hse-principles-for-extended-working-day-week-framework-to-enable-provision-of-services-to-patients-on-5-7-basis.html
If you are approached by Management regarding extended services please do not hesitate to contact your INMO Official.
Thank you for your attention to this Notice.
Yours sincerely
Albert Murphy
Director of Industrial Relations
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