Nursing Strikes Continue Due To Lack Of Govt Engagement

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has launched a second day of strike action across the State following an unsatisfactory response from the government.

Industrial action resumed today, Tuesday 05 February at 8am, with picket lines excepted to remain busy until around 4pm.

The INMO said it will continue until the government addresses pay levels in response to a statement from the Ministers for Finance and Health.

In a joint statement yesterday, 04 February, TD's Paschal Donohoe and Simon Harris expressed disappointment that the issue has not yet been resolved

"The Government has always listened to the concerns expressed by nurses in relation to working conditions and job satisfaction as well as the patient experience," they said.

The Ministers added that they are willing to engage in talks on all relevant issues, other than pay.

"This initiative could focus on the contribution and arrangements for the further roll out of the Safe Staffing Framework to improve staff and patient outcomes and reduce reliance on agency staffing in our hospitals. In addition, this engagement would encompass other relevant organisational issues appropriate to supporting quality and efficiency in the provision of patient service delivery in an integrated way."

INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha regarded the statement as "spin masquerading as substance".

"Government by press release is unfair and confusing to patients and insulting to nurses and midwives on the picket lines," she explained.

"Recycling broken promises is no way to build good-faith negotiations. The government's press release refers to non-pay issues which are already agreed since 2017.

"The INMO previously referred the government to the Workplace Relations Commission to try and find a solution to this dispute, but the government failed to engage or make any proposals. Talks at the Labour Court sadly produced similar results.

"We have identified excessive costs and wastage in the HSE, which could be used to address the pay issues at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis. But the government simply will not listen." 

The following costs, as identified by the INMO, could be cut if more nurses and midwives were attracted to work in the public health service:

• Over €100m spent in 2018 on agency nurses, used to fill gaps left by vacant posts.

• €10,000 - €20,000 spent per nurse or midwife recruited by overseas agencies

• Reduced durations of stay for patients associated with safer staffing levels.

The INMO added that none of these savings are included in the government's €300m cost estimate, which would automatically be reduced by 30%-40% due to income taxes.



(JG/CM)