Disagreements emerge in health reform talks

MAJOR DISAGREEMENTS have emerged between trade unions and management in the talks on health service reform.

At the talks yesterday, which are being held as part of the overall engagement on public sector pay determination and reform, the unions effectively said they could not go back to a draft document on health service reform which was drawn up as part of failed negotiations with the Government last December.

It is understood that at yesterday’s talks the health service union expressed concern about proposals for an extended working day running from 8am to 8pm.

The unions also proposed the introduction of new arrangements whereby staff could be rostered for duty on any five out of seven days. They are also concerned about outsourcing proposals in the health sector and at proposed redeployment arrangements.

It is understood the unions put forward their own proposals for reform yesterday. However, it is also understood management has argued that the reform proposals set out in the December document must form part of any new deal.

The parties are expected to meet again tomorrow. Unions and Government officials are holding talks on reform proposals in the various sectors of the public service such as health, education, local authority and the Civil Service.