MLSA Industrial Action Enters Second Week

Issued by the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA)
Industrial Action Week 2
Monday May 23, 2022.
Medical Scientists to Step Up Industrial Action
Two days of Action to be taken by Medical Scientists this week
Medical Scientists to continue on picket lines to resolve – unfilled posts, pay parity, career
pathway and increasing demands. Medical Scientists are stepping up their industrial action this week – in frustration over long-standing
pay and career development issues. Two days of action are taking place on Tuesday May 24 and Wednesday May 25, following an initial
one day of action last week. No approach has been made by the HSE or Department of Health to the MLSA since last week’s
stoppage, despite comments from HSE representatives implying talks were ongoing.
The action will again involve the withdrawal of routine laboratory services from 8am to 8pm on both
days, affecting routine hospital and GP services across the country.

The Union representing Medical Scientists – the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) –
said it has made every effort to avoid regrettable disruption to patients and fellow healthcare workers
but has been left with no alternative.
MLSA has 2,100 members and the vast majority will be on picket lines this week, at all public
voluntary and HSE hospitals and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, which will join the pickets for the
first time. If no progress is made a further three days of action are planned for next week on May 31st
June 1st  and June 2nd.

In a ballot of MLSA members last November 98% had voted in favour of taking the
action. The action follows many rounds of unsuccessful talks with the HSE, Department of Health,
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Service Agreement Group, particularly
during the past two years.

Reasons for the Action
MLSA Chairperson Kevin O’Boyle said Medical Scientists did not want to be stepping up the action
but severe problems and burn out in the sector are being ignored by the HSE and Department of
Health – and these must be addressed.
Mr O’Boyle said the issues causing the staffing crisis in the sector are:
• Medical Scientists carry out identical work to other colleagues in hospital laboratories (Clinical
Biochemists),yet are paid on average 8% less.
• Medical Laboratory Aides who report to Medical Scientists start on a higher salary.
• Medical Scientists have fewer career progression opportunities, less training supports and
less continuous education supports than comparable colleagues.
• Against these increasing shortages, the role for laboratory diagnostics within the health
services is expanding with increasing.
“All of these issues are leading to a recruitment and retention crisis. 20% of approved hospital posts
are unfilled and it is not sustainable to continue like this. We need an effective structure for this
profession which can secure the staff needed to do the work that is required. Resolving these
issues will benefit patients and the health services they receive.”
MLSA General Secretary Terry Casey said the Union is this week continuing to seek meaningful talks
with the HSE and Department of Health.

“Since last week’s action neither the HSE nor the Department of Health have come to us with a
meaningful proposal or invitation to talks that could address the issues involved. It because of this that
Members throughout the country are stepping up the action.
“The MLSA’s claim for parity with clinical biochemist colleagues dates back to 2001 when an Expert
Group Report recommended pay parity between the grades. The then awarded pay parity was lost
within months as a result of procedural error in the public service benchmarking awards in June
2002.

“In January 2020, against a backdrop of a severe and worsening staffing crisis, the MLSA renewed
this longstanding claim for parity of pay and career progression. More than two years on, and after
many rounds of proposals and talks, these issues have not been resolved and there is now an even
more significant shortage of Medical Scientists, affecting all regions of the country.”
www.mlsa.ie
Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA)
The MLSA is the Trade Union representing Medical Scientists, the scientific professionals who carry
out critical diagnostic testing of patient samples. It represents more than 2,100 Medical Scientists
employed in public voluntary hospitals, HSE hospitals, private hospitals and the Irish Blood
Transfusion Service.