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THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has recommended that its members vote to accept proposals to resolve their recent strike.
It follows a Labour Court recommendation in the INMO’s favour on disputed parts of the proposed new contract for staff nurses and midwives.
Talks between the government and the union were referred to the Labour Court last month after the INMO rejected draft government contracts as “unreasonable”.
INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha called the Labour Court recommendation “total vindication” for its members.
“The government’s proposals were completely unreasonable and we are glad to see the Court has recognised this,” she said this evening.
The recommendation has removed Government proposals for four, six and eight-hour shifts and for changes in workplace locations during a shift, while it also ruled out proposals for split shifts, which would be divided across the day.
Meanwhile, the recommendation guaranteed that new nurses and midwives could reach the a higher scale after one year and 16 weeks.
The recommendations came after nurses went on general strike for a number of days in February, protesting against what they called a recruitment and retention crisis in the sector.
The government initially refused to budge on its position over wage increases for nurses, before the Labour Court intervened to avert further strikes.
“There is no longer anything to fear in this new contract,” Ní Sheaghdha added.
“The nurses and midwives of our Executive Council have now decided to fully recommend this deal to members.
“It does not resolve all our issues, but we believe it is a significant step forward for nurses, midwives and patients across Ireland.”
The INMO executive will now ballot its members on the proposals from 8 April.
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So disappointed with Phil. All talk etc. No pay parity. No parity on working hours. I’m hoping she’ll be very disappointed with the voting.
@Catherine Gaffney: 55cc’s of brown envelope’s stat
Nothing we marched or went on strike for, is being addressed or rectified. An entire profession being sold out. Mighty nurses indeed.
From what I hear from the nurses I know they are far from impressed with the deal.
@James O’Donovan: I know that student nurses weren’t even asked their opinion, while the Inmo seem to be on a solo run completely at odds with actual nurses demands over conditions.
They might get a suprise from their members .its a bad deal.I think phil is liam Doran in suprise.all her talk @ the start was just a load of waffle
@matthew o reilly: maybe nurses should start another union? Nurses I know want more staff on the wards more than an extra fiver.
What about the facts that they are more and more self serving and patients are getting less and less care while they are getting more money?
@Viola Bingham: what” facts” would they be Viola?
It’s a case of one step forward and two steps backwards for nurses, a poor deal full of conditions, many unacceptable.
The nurses will decide, not phil nor the labour courts nor the politicians. And strike again if ye have to. This gov is a disgrace anyway.
What deal did the Nurses get for the people who have to use their departments? I heard a lot about concern for patients during the strike but I see none of it in this deal.
Another sellout by INMO executive.
Nothing has changed. Doran used to waffle for weeks about conditions, the real problem, and threaten strike action,the govt then throw a few bob their way and suddenly a deal is struck. Highest waiting lists ever in Limerick at present and was in A&E in a Dublin hospital this week and it was like a scene from MASH. Phil and Co should step down. I know it’s in their interest to continue to let patients suffer in these conditions as it justifies their existence, IR turbulence, but the nurses should rebel against this shower for selling them out again. Conditions will never improve with this crowd supposedly leading the drive for change.
Now now everyone calm down…
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