The Staff Panel group of Unions including INMO, Connect, Forsa, SIPTU, Unite and MLSA attended the WRC with the Health Service Executive on the 19th of November 2025, in relation to the WRC Agreement on Pay & Numbers following a request by the healthcare trade unions. Three conciliation conferences have been held to date: 24th October, 10th November and 19th November.
The most recent engagement was on Wednesday and it is clear that limited progress has been made regarding the trade union agenda, particularly in ensuring that the HSE, as employer, meets its obligations under the March proposals. Healthcare unions are of the view that the HSE is in breach of the agreement in relation to several elements of same including pace of recruitment, agency conversion, workforce planning for 2025 and 2026, the non-backfilling of maternity leave, and the determination of employment numbers.
Prior to this week’s engagement, the HSE was asked to respond to the trade unions in relation to the above and other matters. The response which was received was entirely unsatisfactory. The HSE’s position is that they are fully committed to the implementation of the Agreement however, they did not produce evidence of any additional measures to speed up recruitment into the 6,858 vacant funded but not filled posts.
Following the review meeting this week, the WRC stated that they are unable to bring the parties together to reach an agreement. The trade unions have now requested that the specific issues in dispute are referred to the Labour Court for a full hearing and the unions have requested an early hearing on this matter.
The date for this hearing will be subject to the Labour Court’s schedule. In the meantime, we will continue direct engagement with the HSE on the remaining issues contained within the March proposals.