Redundancy deal ‘too little and too short a deadline’

UNIONS in the HSE say the redundancy- early retirement package offered to members is too little, has too short a deadline and could leave glaring gaps in the operation of health services.

IMPACT, which represents a large percentage of the administration and managerial grades, said it would be demanding a better remuneration package for workers who choose to avail of the voluntary redundancy. The union said the proposed payments of three week’s pay plus statutory redundancy pay for each year served, with a ceiling of two-years’ pay, was below the established norm for staff in publicly funded bodies.

It also pointed out the HSE timetable – with a closing date for applications of November 19 and a November 30 deadline for acceptance – breaches a statutory requirement for a 30-day consultation period in collective redundancy situations, during which the terms of the package and alternatives to redundancies must be considered. It is likely the union will look for third party conciliation on the amount, a move which will be at odds with the deadlines set.