25 Perfusionists Plan Strike Over Pay Dispute, Threatening Heart Surgeries
Ireland's 25 perfusionists, represented by Fórsa, plan a strike next week over a two-year pay dispute with the HSE. This could cancel heart surgeries requiring heart-lung machines. The HSE broke a long-standing pay link in January 2024, refusing a Labour Court recommendation to restore it.
Surgeries requiring heart-lung machines may be cancelled next week if Ireland's 25 perfusionists proceed with a planned strike. Represented by Fórsa, the perfusionists have notified the HSE of a one-day work stoppage next week, followed by a two-day stoppage the week after.
Fórsa spokeswoman Linda Kelly stated the HSE has failed to engage on contingency planning despite the union being available for 2.5 weeks since notifying of industrial action. The dispute, ongoing for two years, stems from the HSE breaking a pay link in January 2024 that had existed since the 1960s, previously aligning perfusionist pay with medical laboratory scientists.
The Labour Court recommended restoring this link in January, but the HSE has refused. Kelly noted the €233,000 annual difference for all 25 perfusionists is less than 0.5% of the health budget, arguing the HSE's offer of local bargaining is insufficient as it lacks funds to meet the claim.