Fórsa Pauses Perfusionist Strikes at Five Hospitals Over Pay Dispute
Fórsa has paused planned strikes by 25 perfusionists at five hospitals next week. The action stems from a pay dispute with the HSE over a Labour Court recommendation. Last Tuesday's strike led to 14 cancelled cardiac surgeries, including two paediatric cases.
Fórsa, the trade union representing perfusionists, has confirmed that planned industrial action scheduled for next week has been paused. This decision follows a dispute concerning the implementation of a Labour Court Recommendation, which previously led to strike action at five hospital sites earlier this week.
Last Tuesday, 25 perfusionists, all members of Fórsa, initiated a strike that resulted in the cancellation of cardiac surgeries across five hospitals. Perfusionists are vital cardiovascular specialists responsible for operating machines that temporarily assume the functions of the heart and lungs during surgical procedures.
Fórsa has accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of unilaterally severing a long-established pay link between perfusionists and medical scientists. The union further stated that the HSE has declined to implement a Labour Court recommendation, issued in January of this year, which aimed to restore this pay parity. The union reported that last Tuesday's 24-hour strike led to the cancellation of 14 cardiac surgeries, including two paediatric cases.
The union announced that planned industrial action for Tuesday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 17, has been paused after receiving communication from the HSE late yesterday. Fórsa confirmed that the HSE has agreed to include the Labour Court recommendation on the agenda for upcoming discussions regarding a successor public service pay agreement, contingent upon the cessation of all industrial action.