NCHDs have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action
#StandingUp4NCHDs
NCHD Ballot on Industrial Action – Result
- Result is “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action
- NCHD Chairman calls on the HSE and Department of Health to engage in urgent negotiations to avert strike
Monday 13th June 2022. The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has announced that Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) have voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action up to and including strike action. Over 97% of the votes were in favour of the proposal which was recommended by the NCHD Committee.
The dispute focuses on..
- Unsafe and illegal working hours
- Failure by the employer to pay NCHDs for all hours worked
- Unsustainable costs associated with NCHD Training
- Failure by the HSE to ensure all NCHDs receive full entitlements to annual leave and study leave
NCHD Chair calls for urgent negotiations
Speaking today, Dr. John Cannon, Chair of the IMO NCHD Committee said that the result was a huge endorsement of the #StandingUp4NCHDs campaign and reflects the level of anger and frustration of NCHDs around the country. Dr Cannon said “NCHDs are leaving Ireland in higher numbers than ever. That is a direct consequence of the manner in which the HSE and Department of Health treat them, and something must change so that our system is safer for doctors and patients.”
What Happens Next
The IMO will communicate the ballot result to the Department of Health and HSE and seek urgent negotiations to resolve the issues under dispute.
If Department of Health and HSE are not prepared to seriously engage on resolving issues IMO will issue 21 Days’ Notice of Industrial Action.
Dr Cannon said “This ballot result clearly demonstrates the determination of NCHDs and while any kind of strike action is extremely difficult for doctors, there may be no choice. If Government and the HSE really want to address these issues we are willing to talk with them. It is simply intolerable to treat NCHDs in this way.”
He said: “Everyone including the Minister for Health (who spoke on the issue at the IMO AGM on Saturday 28th May) agrees that current conditions for NCHDs are unacceptable, they have known this for a long time but now is the time to do something about it. ”