HSE faces ‘confrontation’ over clause in deal

HSE management has been warned it faces “confrontation” over plans to withdraw the option for staff to take a pay cut in order to maintain their pre-Haddington Road agreement working hours.

Details of the plan, as well as confirmation of a further voluntary redundancy drive for health service staff from Jan 1, is contained in a letter to senior managers in the service from the HSE’s director of human resources, Barry O’Brien.

Health unions have already written to the Labour Relations Commission complaining about what they see as a breach of the Haddington Road Agreement (HRA).