Limerick doctors' 'standoff' with hospital over pay dispute put on hold

A LONG-lasting “standoff” between University Hospital Limerick doctors and management has been put on hold following a lengthy dispute over non-payment of unrostered overtime work.

Interns and non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, including strike action, if hospital management did not issue approved unrostered overtime payment by February 22.

Since the ballot on February 6, the UL Hospitals Group has kept silent on the matter despite numerous requests from the Limerick Leader for comment.

At the time of going to print this Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for the Irish Medical Organisation said that it was still consulting with members at UHL, to confirm if all payments had been processed.

“But it appears that payment has been made. It is hugely disappointing that we had to take these steps to ensure that doctors get their contractual rights and it is incumbent on UHL to ensure that we don't find ourselves in this standoff situation once again later this year.”

A spokesperson for the UL Hospitals Group had said, prior to the February 6 ballot, that it “rejects any assertion that unrostered overtime claims, once the agreed process has been followed, are not being honoured”. 

This was the second time since January 2016 that UHL IMO members voted in favour of industrial action over the same issue. 

The UL Hospitals Group said that it issued €2.5m in overtime payments between October and December.