Medical laboratory scientists across the country are set to vote on potential industrial action in the coming weeks, citing ongoing staff shortages as the primary cause of their grievances.
Unfilled Vacancies and Suppressed Posts
The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) has accused the Health Service Executive (HSE) of failing to address critical staffing issues. According to the MLSA, the HSE has not filled vacant positions that were unoccupied at the end of last year and continues to suppress new vacancies that have since arisen.
Medical laboratory scientists play a vital role in diagnostic testing in public hospitals, yet the sector has been grappling with recruitment and retention challenges for years. The MLSA has been vocal about the issue, with members staging a strike in May 2022 to highlight unresolved pay and career development concerns.
Ballot for Industrial Action
During its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM), the MLSA unanimously passed a motion to ballot members for industrial action.
“The HSE has suppressed these frontline posts without assessing the impact on services from the permanent loss of these roles and has refused to share data with trade unions on how many funded and approved vacancies have been suppressed,” said MLSA Chairperson Mairead Ní Mhuimhneacháin.
The MLSA is aligning with other unions, including Fórsa, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), and Connect, all of which are also balloting their members in response to staffing shortages.
Protests Highlighting the Crisis
Since last month, unions have organized a series of lunchtime protests to draw attention to the workforce crisis. These protests underscore the growing frustration among healthcare professionals over inadequate staffing levels and their impact on service delivery.
HSE’s Response
The HSE has described the unions’ actions as “regrettable,” citing increased funding and efforts to bolster the workforce.
In a statement, the HSE highlighted its Pay and Numbers Strategy, which it claims has stabilized workforce numbers and facilitated staffing increases. However, union leaders argue that these measures have fallen short of addressing the systemic issues affecting healthcare delivery.
Looking Ahead
The impending industrial action ballot reflects the deepening dissatisfaction among medical laboratory scientists and other healthcare workers. As the healthcare system continues to face recruitment and retention challenges, the outcome of the ballot and subsequent negotiations will be pivotal in determining the future of Ireland’s healthcare workforce.
