TALKS to avert a new health service strike are expected to resume this morning. Nearly 700 radiographers and 1,000 Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) could strike from May 15th if pay parity with nurses is not maintained.
Both groups could cause serious disruption in acute hospitals if the strike proceeds. Radiographers operate X-ray and other essential equipment used to diagnose injuries and illnesses and treat patients. They use equipment such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines and CAT (Computerised Axio-Tomography) scans. MLTs carry out tests on blood, urine and other body fluids.
Both groups, who are represented by SIPTU, met separately with management yesterday in talks lasting nearly nine hours.
The Health Employer Services Association is expected to contact both groups with clarification on a number of issues later today.
Tomorrow, the SIPTU divisional executive is due to meet to evaluate progress in the talks. It is understood the members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action if their demands on pay and a number of other issues are not addressed. SIPTU has not announced the ballot result.
Besides the issue of basic pay, there is a big gap between the two sides on overtime, or "out-of-hours" payments. Overtime accounts for up to a third of total earnings for these grades.
Ten years ago, radiographers went on strike for five weeks in a dispute over "out-of-hours" payments.
Standard grade radiographers can earn up to £19,500 a year in basic pay. Senior radiographers, who constitute about a quarter of the total, earn up to £21,200 in basic pay.
Superintendent grade radiographers earn between £19,900 and £24,200, but there are only a handful of senior posts available.
MLTs earn from £16,000 to £22,790, with the same potential overtime earnings as radiographers. Senior MLTs have a basic salary grade of £21,000 to £24,389. Chief MLTs earn between £25,500 and £34,100.
If no breakthrough is achieved in the talks with the HSEA this week, it is likely both sides will refer the dispute to the Labour Relations Commission. It is also possible the Labour Court could intervene "in the public interest" if necessary.
The pay offer to the paramedics effectively sets the parameters for a settlement with the radiographers and MLTs. It will be a major surprise if the dispute goes to a full strike.
The paramedics sought increases worth up to 17 per cent and eventually were awarded increases of up to 14.5 per cent by the Labour Court. They suspended strike action and are currently balloting on the offer.
While the paramedics dispute was resolved without conceding they had full pay parity with nurses, the effect of the nurses dispute is having repercussions throughout the health service.
It is also creating a twin-track approach to restructuring claims under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work, where health service unions are obtaining access to the LRC and Labour Court, while other public service unions are dealt with through more traditional procedures.