Medical scientists suspend industrial action

Medical scientists have suspended their industrial action that was planned for May 24 and 25, after accepting an invitation to attend the Labour Court for exploratory talks on their dispute.

The action would have resulted in the withdrawal of routine laboratory services from 8am to 8pm on May 24 and 25. This follows similar action on May 18. This would have affected routine hospital and GP services nationwide.

Thousands of medical appointments and procedures have already been cancelled as a result.

Prior to the first day of action on May 18, the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA), which is the union that represents medical scientists, insisted that it had made every effort to avoid disruption to patients and fellow healthcare workers, but it had been left with no alternative.

It has 2,100 members, the vast majority of whom would have been on picket lines this week at all public voluntary and HSE hospitals, as well as the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

The action follows many rounds of unsuccessful talks with the HSE, Department of Health, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Service Agreement Group, particularly during the past two years. In a ballot of MLSA members last November, 98% voted in favour of taking this action.

According to MLSA chairperson, Kevin O’Boyle, severe problems, including burnout among medical scientists, are being ignored. A number of issues have contributed to the staffing crisis in this sector including:

-Medical scientists carry out identical work to other colleagues in hospital laboratories (clinical biochemists) but are paid, on average, 8% less

-Medical laboratory aides who report to medical scientists start on a higher salary

-Medical scientists have fewer career progression opportunities, less training supports and less continuous education supports than comparable colleagues.

“All of these issues are leading to a recruitment and retention crisis. Some 20% of approved hospital posts are unfilled and it is not sustainable to continue like this. We need an effective structure for this profession which can secure the staff needed to do the work that is required. Resolving these issues will benefit patients and the health services they receive,” Mr O’Boyle said.

Following intervention by the Labour Court on Tuesday, the MLSA issued notice to all of its members to suspend further action and to resume work as normal. The association said it will enter the Labour Court process "in good faith".