Hospital light bulb row dims as electricians accept deal

HOSPITAL electricians have accepted proposals aimed at ending a protracted dispute with health bosses sparked by light bulb changing procedures.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) announced yesterday its members had voted unanimously to accept proposals from the National Implementation Body aimed at ending the bitter four-year row with the Health Service Executive South.

The row started at Cork University Hospital in 2002 over a change in work practices, including protocols on who was allowed to change light bulbs.

The HSE said flexibility was needed to allow non electricians change small non-essential light bulbs. However the TEEU said this was electricians’ work.

The row resulted last month in the removal of electricians from the payroll. But the TEEU said its members were balloted in Dungarvan on Tuesday night and agreed to accept the NIB proposals which provide for the appointment of an independent expert to chair discussions on the protocol to be adopted at CUH over the changing of light bulbs with the power to issue binding adjudication if necessary.

It also provides for negotiations between the TEEU and the HSE on a national agreement on on-call/call-out rates with the assistance of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

The parties can jointly refer any outstanding issues to the Labour Court. The proposals also provide for:

The investigation of complaints about the use by the HSE of alleged non-compliant outside contractors.

The creation of a number of promotional positions in HSE-South hospitals for craftworkers.

The payment of wage increases due under national agreements to the TEEU members to be addressed.

If there is failure to agree the date for retrospection the matter can be referred to the Labour Court.

TEEU general secretary designate Eamon Devoy welcomed the outcome of the ballot. “The intervention of the NIB is very much appreciated and we recommended acceptance of the terms. The fact that binding arbitration is provided for in a number of areas is particularly welcome and was something we sought during the dispute.

“It did not help matters that HSE South seemed more intent on misrepresenting the issues in the media than seeking a resolution to very real, long standing problems. Hopefully we can all move forward from here,” said Mr Devoy.

Barry O’Brien, the HSE’s assistant national director of human resources, welcomed the result of the ballot.

“The HSE is satisfied that the dispute which placed health services at serious risk by the withdrawal of on-call cover could have been avoided,” he said.

“Many of the NIB proposals were offered to the TEEU at the first of five labour relation commission hearings on the issues raised. HSE South are immediately available to engage with the TEEU to give full regard to the proposals,” he added.