There are just 25 perfusionists on strike who are out on strike today but they've already managed to shut down to pause all scheduled surgeries in Crumlin, James', the Mater, Galway and Cork.
Linda Kelly of Fórsa said "25 perfusionists are going on strike today over their dispute over pay."
What is a perfusionist?
"They operate the heart and lung machines during very serious cardiac surgery- they help keep people alive."
The issue is that they'd had an agreement with the HSE to link their pay to Medical Laboratory Scientists (who had to strike in 2022 themselves). But in 2024, the HSE broke that link.
Rightly, perfusionists took their case through their union Fórsa to the Labour Court to have that established pay link respected. Fórsa won. But the HSE still haven't followed through on the Court's judgement. So the perfusionists have put in notice to strike and picket.
1) The HSE should be respecting the Labour Court. But it's not. It's chancing its arm. And it's playing around with the livelihoods of these workers. Not to mention the stability of care for the health of their patients.
2) Why does the state's HSE not recognise the Labour Court's decision? In the end workers have to be in unions and they have to fight. Social partnership isn't working. Workers need to be unified and fight hard together. When workers fight, they can win. If they hadn't been unionised the HSE would have left them short changed. Instead they have a real chance to win but they will probably have to strike next week too. Next planned strike days are the 16th and 17th of June next week.
These workers want to be in doing their jobs and helping people, but the cost of living is biting, and employers like the HSE are trying to cut corners when the government actually has the money.
People Before Profit say get out and support the workers today. We saw surgeons, patients, visitors, and passer-bys all showing their support by being with these workers who are leading the way for everyone working today.
Show your support. Sign Fórsa's solidarity statement. Visit a picket, have a chat, take and share some photos. Write to your TDs or the HSE. Share this story on social media. Join your union and get more active in your workplace today.
Power to the perfusionists! Up the workers!
