Labour Court rejects hospital claim to remove laboratory call quota

The Labour Court recommended against a claim by the Medical Laboratory Technologists Association to remove the 60-call weekly quota for emergency laboratory work in medium-sized hospitals. The recommendation was dated 24 September 1993. The Association said the quota reduced workers’ earnings. Dublin Voluntary Hospitals argued it was integral to the 1981 agreement and that removing it would increase costs. The Court found the claim was cost-increasing and could not be conceded under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. It also recommended introducing a monitoring system under the 1981 agreement.