Labour Court Database __________________________________________________________________________________ File Number: CD92699 Case Number: LCR13915 Section / Act: S26(1) Parties: SOUTH EASTERN HEALTH BOARD - and - SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION |
Centralisation of Laundry Services from St. Lukes and Kilcreane Hospitals, Kilkenny, to Ardkeen, Waterford.
Recommendation:
5. Given the current financial constraints on the Health Board
and taking account of all of the views expressed by the parties in
their oral and written submissions it is the view of the Court
that the Health Board proposals be accepted.
The Court notes the guarantees given by the Health Board regarding
permanent employment and also that losses to current temporary
staff would be minimal. These aspects should be kept under
review.
The Court so recommends.
Division: MrMcGrath Mr Keogh Mr Walsh
Text of Document__________________________________________________________________
CD92699 RECOMMENDATION NO. LCR13915
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990
SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990
PARTIES: SOUTH EASTERN HEALTH BOARD
and
SERVICES INDUSTRIAL PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL UNION
SUBJECT:
1. Centralisation of Laundry Services from St. Lukes and
Kilcreane Hospitals, Kilkenny, to Ardkeen, Waterford.
BACKGROUND:
2. As part of a rationalisation programme, the Board propose to
transfer the laundry service from St. Lukes and Kilcreene
Hospitals, Kilkenny, to the Regional Hospital, Waterford, where a
new purpose built laundry was established in 1989. The Board's
proposals are unacceptable to the Union. Following a secret
ballot, the Union served strike notice on the Board to take effect
from the date on which it transfers the laundry service to
Waterford without agreement. The Union claims that an earlier
decision taken by the board, but not implemented, to centralise
laundry services in Kilkenny to St. Canice's Hospital would
achieved the required rationalisation and cutbacks. The Board
rejected the claim and the matter was referred to the Labour
Relations Commission. A conciliation conference was held on 22nd
September, 1992, but no agreement could be reached and the matter
was referred to the Labour Court on 17th November, 1992. The
Court hearing took place on 11th December, 1992.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS:
3. 1. The transfer of the laundry service would have serious
implications for long term temporary workers, many of whom
would be displaced by the Board's proposals to re-deploy
existing laundry staff.
2. The Union recognises the need for rationalisation and has
indicated a willingness to negotiate the closure of the
laundries at St. Lukes and Kilcreene.
3. The Union's proposals to centralise the laundry service in
Kilkenny, or at Kilcreene would result in savings to the
Board, while maintaining jobs in Kilkenny.
4. The workers concerned are aware of decisions in the past
which resulted in the overnight closure of the Auxillary
Hospital in Kilkenny with the consequential transfer of
workers to neighbouring hospitals. The problems which arose
out of this transfer are still being resolved.
5. The Board should enter into negotiations with the Union on
the future of the laundries at St. Lukes and Kilcreene, with
the objective of either maintaining both laundries or
centralising the laundries at a Kilkenny location.
BOARD'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. The Waterford Regional Hospital laundry is capable (with a
small increase in staff) of providing the laundry service for
the St. Lukes' and Kilcreene Hospitals. A considerable
investment in buildings and equipment has been made and it was
always planned to take over other laundry functions to justify
the investment.
2. The programme of rationalisation was given an added
impetus by the difficult budgetary position. A savings
programme was agreed by the Board in late 1991 when it was
acknowledged that ongoing savings in the order of #2.5 million
were required to allow the Board stay within its allocation.
3. The Board's rationalisation programme envisaged the
establishment of one/two centres in the South East to cope
with all its laundry requirements and this has proved to be
the most efficient way. To suggest continuing the service in
any other centre would involve duplication of staff and
equipment. The decision to base the service in Waterford will
result in substantial savings to the Board.
4. The Board is in a position to re-deploy all staff being
displaced by the transfer of the laundry service. All
permanent staff can be accommodated. Any staff remaining on
the current permanent panel will be offered appointments
thereby limiting any displacement factor. Any remaining long
term temporary staff will continue to be employed as
heretofore to cover annual leave and sick leave.
5. Substantial investment has been made in the provision of
an in-house laundry system and the Board will not be renewing
its commercial contracts, thereby ensuring future employment
for all staff being re-deployed.
6. The opportunity has been taken to create additional posts
in St. Luke's Hospital in areas where difficulties with
manning levels existed, therefore improving the overall
employment situation.
RECOMMENDATION:
5. Given the current financial constraints on the Health Board
and taking account of all of the views expressed by the parties in
their oral and written submissions it is the view of the Court
that the Health Board proposals be accepted.
The Court notes the guarantees given by the Health Board regarding
permanent employment and also that losses to current temporary
staff would be minimal. These aspects should be kept under
review.
The Court so recommends.
~
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Tom McGrath
______________________
11th January, 1993. Deputy Chairman
F.B./J.C.
Note
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to
Mr. Fran Brennan, Court Secretary.