Labour Court recommends talks on HSE worker’s long-term acting role

The Labour Court recommended that the Health Service Executive and the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union negotiate an agreement covering long-term acting positions, with a view to regularising a worker’s position as a Clerical Officer Grade 4. The worker had been acting in the Grade 4 role since January 2006 and received an allowance. The union said he had carried out the job’s duties continuously and had been blocked from some competitions and transfer opportunities because he did not hold the grade permanently. The HSE said it lacked authority to make the appointment by designation. The Court described the situation as anomalous but said it could not be resolved separately from similar cases. Its recommendation was signed on 5 November 2009.