Talks on nurses’ strike end in stalemate

A MEETING aimed at avoiding strike action by nurses has ended without agreement – but their union says it is open to fresh talks.

HSE management met Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation leaders for 90 minutes yesterday in an effort to strike a deal which would avert the stoppages.

But an INMO spokesman said afterwards: ‘There was nothing in there that would avert a strike.’

He said the meeting contained ‘no real concrete proposals’ but said INMO would remain open to further talks on the matter.

Both sides are to meet next week ahead of a proposed 24-hour strike on January 30.

If the issue is unresolved after the first walk-out then further strikes are planned on February 5 and 7 before a three-day strike on February 12, 13 and 14.

Although the Psychiatric Nurses Association reportedly claimed health management would offer proposals based on pay parity for nurses with other grades this was rejected by the Government.

According to the INMO, low levels of pay have resulted in difficulty retaining staff who favour overseas employers and this is leading to shortages in Irish hospitals.

The group say that between 2008 and 2018 the number of staff nurses fell by 6% as the population continued to age, placing increased demand on the health service.

Patients in need of life-saving care or A&E treatment will be cared for during the industrial action under contingency plans.