Unions representing healthcare workers have referred their claim for 10 days additional annual leave in recognition of their work during the pandemic to the Workplace Relations Commission.
The unions submitted the claim last November, highlighting the additional strain and risk attached to their work during the current crisis.
However, following a meeting with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health officials today, the health unions expressed disappointment that after four months, the management side had failed to come forward with proposals, and proceeded to refer the matter to the WRC.
Chair of the National Joint Council of Health Unions Tony Fitzpatrick said staff felt disappointed and disrespected that after four months more thought had not been given to resolving this issue.
He noted that in other jurisdictions, including Scotland and Wales, governments had found ways to recognise the staff contribution of their own volition.
Mr Fitzpatrick said that the two sides are due to meet again on Tuesday, and expressed the hope that management would come forward with proposals by then.
He could not provide any costing for granting 10 days extra leave to over 100,000 workers in the health sector, or whether the management side would ring-fence the entitlement to those in frontline healthcare settings rather than administrative employees working from home.
It also remains to be seen whether the granting of such recognition could be ring-fenced within the public sector, or whether there would be knock-on demands from other frontline workers in transport, retail, or other sectors.
The HSE said it met with staff representatives in relation to their claim and will be "engaging further on the issues raised and the position put forward".
"Management emphasised that there is an intention to recognise the role of HCWs during the pandemic and work is underway to progress that. There will be further discussion with the unions in this regard in due course," it said.
The Department of Health, which also engaged with trade unions, said that the Government intends to recognise front-line healthcare workers in respect of the extraordinary contribution and commitment they have made in the fight against the pandemic.
"The HSE, Department and Government are considering the most appropriate means and timeline for such recognition, noting that the pandemic is ongoing," it said.
