The HSE has confirmed that the Clerical/Admin grades 3 to 6 Job Evaluation scheme remains unaltered. The written confirmation from the HSE follows concerns raised by Fórsa about localised attempts to deviate from the terms of the agreed scheme.

Head of Fórsa’s Health and Welfare division Éamonn Donnelly explained: “There were a number of attempts to alter the terms of the scheme by managers, who were seeking extra layers of sign-off and, in some cases, the facility to decide whether or not an application should go forward for evaluation.

“This seemed to have gathered some support within the HSE. We reported the matter to the Health Sector Oversights Body and informed all parties that we would be moving towards an overall national ballot for industrial action if our scheme was altered,” he said.

Éamonn said the union has since received formal confirmation that the scheme remains unaltered. “If local managers, therefore, attempt to tailor the terms of the scheme in their area, the ongoing sanction for industrial action in that particular area remains in place,” he said.

Fórsa raised the matter with senior HR in HSE in September following a meeting of the Health Sector Oversights Body. Eamonn advised the oversights body that any breaches of a collective agreement are wholly unacceptable, and advised the HSE that a national ballot would take place if assurances weren’t received by 3rd October.

Senior HSE employee relations executive Paul Byrne, in a letter to the union sent last week, confirmed that all elements of the agreement remained in place and can only be changed by agreement with Fórsa.