Unions representing healthcare workers appeared before the Labour Court today in an effort to secure recognition for their work during the Covid-19 crisis.
The unions say Ireland is out of step with other European countries where staff have already seen formal acknowledgement of their efforts during the pandemic.
They say such recognition could include a once-off payment or extra leave. The unions say the matter has ended up in the Labour Court after the HSE claimed it had no mandate to engage on the issue.
Éamonn Donnelly, from the Fórsa union, said it has become deeply damaging to the morale of healthcare workers and said it was demoralising that the matter has ended up at the Labour Court despite broad public and political consensus on