HSE dispute continues as union claims worker lockout

THE Health Service Executive and the Technical, Engineering and Electrical Union’s (TEEU) continuing debate over worker roles in hospitals in the south of the country remained as polarised as ever last night as, in the latest twist, claims from the union that workers were locked out of work were flatly denied by the HSE.

That is just one of the areas of allegation and counter allegation which now dogs what would initially have appeared to be a straightforward dispute.

The argument is being portrayed by the HSE as centring around who will change light bulbs in the southern division. It points out general operatives should be able to change bulbs instead of calling electricians for costly overtime call-out charges. The union claim it is convenient for the HSE to make it appear light bulbs are the only issue when a number of roles are in question. The matters have been before the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission on numerous occasions.