Labour Court recommends time-and-a-half overtime and 18 days’ leave for hospital doctors

The Labour Court recommended contract changes for non-consultant hospital doctors, including a time-and-a-half overtime premium and 18 days’ cumulative leave per six months. Its recommendation was signed on 22 December 2009. The Irish Medical Organisation sought changes linked to the European Working Time Directive, including a salary increase; the HSE cited public finance pressures and the need for savings. The Court recommended that the HSE management proposal to replace vouched training grants with direct provision of appropriate training be accepted, subject to doctors having appropriate autonomy in selecting and participating in training. It did not recommend the IMO’s salary increase, unsocial-hours payment, lost overtime earnings or operational allowance claims. Relocation expenses were recommended up to €500.