Pay claim ‘threatens after-hours’ doctor care
SouthDoc was “on its knees and tipping towards the edge of a cliff in a wind- up situation” a solicitor for the company said yesterday.
Deirdre Crowley, speaking at an Employment Appeals Tribunal, said it would “spell the end of the jobs” of almost 180 people if 22 SouthDoc employees persisted in their claim for compensation on foot of a pay cut imposed in 2009.
The tribunal heard that South West Doctors on Call Ltd, which is 100% funded by the HSE, had endured successive budget cuts that, by year end, would amount to a 34.6% reduction since 2007. It heard the company was in “a hole” to the tune of €700,000. Its 2011 accounts show short-term liabilities of €773,729.
The accounts also contain a warning from auditor, Marcus Treacy of OKCT, that its future remains uncertain, as HSE funding cannot be guaranteed.
However, it is expected that funding will continue.
In Aug 2009, staff wages were reduced by 20% following a Siptu ballot in which members voted to accept the cut. This was subsequently reduced to 10%.
However, 22 members of the Independent Workers Union subsequently took a case to the Rights Commissioner seeking compensation for the cut. They claim it was excessive because HSE staff only endured a 5% reduction and they were entitled to pay parity with HSE staff on the basis of a 2005 Labour Court decision.
They also said Siptu did not represent them, so the cut had been unilaterally imposed.
They were awarded compensation but are now appealing the size of the award. SouthDoc is appealing paying compensation.
There is also a dispute between the company and the IWU. It claims the IWU poached members from Siptu and the 22 employees switched unions on or around the time the ballot was taking place.
Eamon Smith of the IWU said they did “not go out to SouthDoc looking for members”.
The hearing was adjourned until January.
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