Labour Court recommends partial compensation for five medical scientists’ on-call losses

The Labour Court recommended compensation for five medical scientists transferred from Monaghan General Hospital to Cavan General Hospital after the Monaghan laboratory closed. It recommended payment equal to 50% of each worker’s actual initial on-call loss, with any continuing loss assessed after 12 months and compensated at the established annual amount. The recommendation was signed on 25 February 2010. HSE Dublin North East and MLSA had not agreed on compensation for lost on-call earnings, disturbance or reduced promotion prospects. The workers’ salary and terms were protected in the transfer, but MLSA said they lost on-call earnings during retraining and faced lower average earnings afterward. It also sought compensation for increased travel and reduced promotion prospects. The Court did not recommend conceding the disturbance and promotion-potential claim.