FULL RECOMMENDATION
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACTS, 1946 TO 1990 SECTION 26(1), INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS ACT, 1990 PARTIES : HSE SOUTH - AND - IRISH NURSES ORGANISATION DIVISION : Chairman: Ms Jenkinson Employer Member: Mr Murphy Worker Member: Mr O'Neill |
1. Midleton Health Centre: 1. Additional nursing and clerical staffing; and 2. Structural improvement to Health Centre
BACKGROUND:
2. The population of the Cloyne, Castlemartyr and Midleton areas has increased by 40% between 2002 and 2008 and this increase has precipitated a claim by the INO for extra Public Health Nursing, Clerical Staff and extra accommodation at the Midleton Health Centre where they are based. The INO suggests that the community is vulnerable without this additional allocation and investment. The HSE South disputes this view.
The dispute could not be resolved at local level and was the subject of a Conciliation Conference under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. As agreement was not reached, the dispute was referred to the Labour Court on the 26th August, 2008 in accordance with Section 26(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. A Labour Court hearing took place on the 26th June, 2009.
UNION'S ARGUMENTS
3. 1. A claim for 10 whole-time equivalent Public Health Nurses (PHNs), an additional 21 hours' clerical cover for the Community Nurse team and structural improvements in the form of additional accommodation at the Midleton Health Centre was lodged on 19th July 2006 by the INO.
2. To date the HSE has not delivered on any of these claims and has not engaged in any meaningful way with the INO. The effectiveness of the current number of PHNs is grossly diminished and it can only serve as a de-motivator in the short to medium term.
COMPANY'S ARGUMENTS:
4. 1. Midleton Health Centre underwent a total refurbishment in 2007 with 4 extra rooms being made available to the Public Health Nurses. There are plans to extend the facilities and an application for funding under the Capital Projects 2008 was made and if sanctioned it is estimated that it will take a further 4 months to complete the work.
2. Since 2006 the complement of Public Health Nurses has risen from 7 to 8 whole-time equivalents the Government has declared a moratorium on Recruitment and Promotions with effect from 27th March 2009.
3. The Public Health Nursing Service in the Midleton area is currently operating within its wholetime equivalent approved budgets.
RECOMMENDATION:
The issue before the Court concerns the Union’s claim for additional nursing/clerical staffing and structural improvements to Midleton Health Centre which it claims are inadequate to deal with the current requirements of the area.
Having considered the oral and written submissions of both parties, the Court is satisfied that the claims and the reasons given in support of them are deserving of further serious consideration. Therefore, the Court recommends that the claims should be dealt with through the Area Employment Monitoring Group, and the Union should be kept informed of its progress.
The Court so recommends.
Signed on behalf of the Labour Court
Caroline Jenkinson
27th July, 2009______________________
JFDeputy Chairman
NOTE
Enquiries concerning this Recommendation should be addressed to John Foley, Court Secretary.