Labour Court recommends talks on Coombe Hospital scientist’s duties

The Labour Court recommended that Coombe Women's & Infants Hospital and the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association clarify which duties would transfer under new working arrangements for a surveillance scientist. The recommendation was signed on 6 July 2017. The dispute followed the hospital’s 2015 proposal to extend the worker’s assignments beyond surveillance duties. The worker relied on a 2006 agreement under which they returned as a full-time surveillance scientist. The Court said duties should reflect organisational change, but changes should be managed clearly and fairly. It recommended that the hospital and association discuss the duties, with WRC assistance if appropriate, within eight weeks. They should then agree the changes or refer outstanding matters back to the Court for a definitive recommendation.