Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) are expected to vote overwhelmingly for industrial action today. The doctors are looking for a new pay structure, higher staffing ratios and protection from excessive overtime.
The result of a six-week Irish Medical Organisation ballot is due this evening. The ballot followed the breakdown of talks on pay with the Health Service Employers' Agency on March 15th.
At the IMO's annual conference last week, its leaders made clear to the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, that an immediate change in overtime pay arrangements to reflect work done - and a deadline to conclude general negotiations on pay and working hours - were the minimum requirements to avert strike action.
Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the IMO said that the form of action had still to be decided, but it is expected to take the form of a series of one-day strikes initially.
The IMO has received a boost to its case with an independent report on overtime arrangements at Cork University Hospital by former ICTU president Mr Phil Flynn. "There is no doubt that in a number of specialities, NCHDs were required to work hours outside of the approved roster for which payment was not made," according to his report.
Cork was one of a number of hospitals "named and shamed" for persistently seeking extra unpaid overtime from junior doctors. However, Mr Flynn found that this was partly due to NCHDs not obtaining prior approval for the extra hours worked and for failing to invoke grievance procedures.
Nevertheless, Mr Flynn added: "It is not satisfactory that NCHDs come under pressure to work excessive hours beyond those provided for in their current agreement and is even less so when they are not paid."
The HSEA says it is still willing to meet the IMO and discuss new overtime rates, but if NCHDs want higher overtime payments they must agree to work a shift system like nurses and other health professionals.
Meanwhile, the Psychiatric Nurses' Association is to consider escalating its work-to-rule by 800 supervisory and managerial nurses, when delegates meet at its annual conference on May 11th and 12th. It is taking the action because the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contained no provision for a pay review.