Widows of former HSE workers back at WRC in 'disturbing and chilling' row over pensions

In May, the WRC recommended 'management meet with all relevant decision-makers to develop a mechanism to ensure this matter is finalised'. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins 

Widows whose deceased husbands worked for the HSE are receiving a lower pension than expected because a pay increase granted in 2007 has not been honoured for one group of workers.

This “disturbing and chilling" row was before the Workplace Relations Commission in May and returns on Friday because recommendations have not been acted on.

John O’Brien, retired hospital networks manager with UL Hospital Group among other roles, said delays persist despite the Labour Court ruling in favour of payment in 2011.

“The sad thing about all of this is there are people who have died since all of this, their widows are on incorrect pensions,” he said.

“There may be cases where death gratuities were calculated wrongly, but certainly I know of two colleagues who died in the last 12 months and whose widows are on the wrong widow's pension from the HSE because of this.” 

HSE financial documents, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show €11.6m was set aside in 2021 for this, back-dated to 2010.

He estimates 240 people, including managers and procurement specialists, are affected.

“This is a case of wages withheld, it is not a pay claim,” he said.

Maureen Cronin, retired accountant, addressed the Oireachtas finance committee last year on the delays, as did Mr O'Brien. 

She said the group includes engineers, architects, senior hospital managers and procurement specialists, describing these staff as “the infrastructure underpinning the delivery of healthcare” here. 

“Someone decided in 2007 that over their dead body would those people get that percentage,” she said.

I believe that, because I have worked full-time for 41 years in the public system and have never seen this happen. Someone had a hearts-and-minds issue in this regard, which I find disturbing and chilling.”

In May, the WRC recommended “management meet with all relevant decision-makers to develop a mechanism to ensure this matter is finalised”. 

Fórsa deputy general secretary Eamonn Donnelly said: “We are in a process in the WRC for an outstanding pay award.” 

The Department of Public Expenditure said this was a matter for the Department of Health.

A spokesman for that department said: “As this matter is currently the subject of ongoing discussions under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission, it would not be appropriate for the Department to make any comment at this time.”