Labour Court recommends new meal-break system for blood service staff

The Labour Court recommended that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and the Agemo Services Industrial Professional Technical Union quickly agree and introduce a revised break system for Donor Attendants on mobile clinics, with no bed closures. The dispute concerned meal breaks during clinic hours. The union said staff worked an average 10.5-hour day and needed a proper main meal break. The Service wanted to keep all beds open while clinics were operating, with breaks scheduled before or after clinic hours. The Court said any trial should last no more than four weeks and take place only if necessary. It noted management's proposal to negotiate compensation for lost earnings and said other work-practice changes should be agreed through consultation. The recommendation was signed on 29 September 2009.