Perfusionists Suspend Strike After HSE Agrees to Pay Settlement

Industrial action planned by perfusionists this week has been cancelled following an agreement reached with the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding pay. The Fórsa trade union, representing the perfusionists, confirmed the suspension of their planned strikes.

Perfusionists, who are specialized cardiovascular technicians managing heart-lung machines during surgery, had accused the HSE of unilaterally severing a long-standing pay linkage with medical scientists. They also alleged the HSE refused to implement a Labour Court recommendation to reinstate this link.

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Fórsa welcomes the HSE's confirmation that they will pay perfusionists at the correct grade, retrospective to January 2024.

Fórsa official Ryan McKinney welcomed the HSE's confirmation that perfusionists will now receive pay at the correct grade, with payments backdated to January 2024. "As a result we have withdrawn industrial action and perfusionists will work as normal over the coming days," McKinney stated.

The suspended strike action would have involved 25 perfusionists across five hospitals, leading to the cancellation of heart surgeries. A previous 24-hour strike by perfusionists last month had already resulted in the cancellation of cardiac surgeries at five hospitals, highlighting the critical nature of their role and the potential impact of the industrial dispute.

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As a result we have withdrawn industrial action and perfusionists will work as normal over the coming days.