Fórsa has said there needs to be a strong engagement with the HSE to ensure the detail of any 7-day work pattern arrangement is fully understood.
The union’s head of Health and Welfare, Ashley Connolly, was responding to comments by HSE CEO Bernard Gloster last week.
Gloster, in his address to Fórsa Health and Welfare delegates in Galway, said the HSE wants to avoid overcrowding in hospitals, and that staff were being asked to volunteer for the weekend shift in return for overtime payments or days in lieu. He added that he is seeking to introduce a “permanent” new seven-day working roster for hospital staff.
Responding to his comments, Ashley said Fórsa members would need to understand precisely what’s been asked of them, what any rostering would look like, and the degree to which current work patterns might change, and who it would affect.
Ashley emphasised that any move to implement these measures can’t be rushed and real consultation is essential: “Any proposed changes to work practices would have to be subject to detailed discussions.
“There is a lot of fear around one-liners being announced with no real detail around how proposals would operate. We will need extensive engagement, this can't just be something that’s rushed.
“Fórsa members have demonstrated a willingness to put their shoulders to the wheel and don’t shy away from reform. But the union expects its voice would be heard and listened to," she said.
Ashley added that there had already been a succession of requests this year to work additional or different hours and said Fórsa had no issue with that as long as people had a choice: “Beyond that, the union would engage on any proposed reforms,” she said.
Audio
Fórsa’s head of Health and Welfare Ashley Connolly spoke to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland programme on Friday 26th May. She told presenter Áine Lalor that more consultation is needed to change hospital working practices at weekends. Listen back HERE.
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