Let’s put an end to these strikes

Sir — As a student at St Peter’s College in Wexford and having passed nurses on the picket line outside Wexford General Hospital last week, one could not but be reminded of the essential role played by nurses in caring for patients, moreover how the HSE as an organisation is failing them.

It is necessary that there should be an immediate reaction from the Government — further extend the number of nurses working in the public health system — and also a review of the salary paid to nurses, as part of a long-term (affordable to the taxpayer) plan, with a view to increasing it over time.

However, while nursing staff in Ireland are required to work under increasing pressure and strain, the Government understandably remains aware that it would be unsustainable to increase the salary in every branch of public service simultaneously.

It is most frustrating that even in the 21st Century a government-union dispute results in committed, hardworking public service workers being on the streets.

This strike action has been most effective in raising a point, while at the same time punishing the uninvolved taxpayer and delivering a distinctly negative blow to the care of patients.

In my view, the only way the IMNO can achieve what it is fighting for, is through extensive, patient, productive negotiations with the Government.

Given the frequency of union-led strikes, I hope that legislation can be introduced to ensure a final decision on every deadlocked government union dispute is made by an independent body which would avoid workers, critical to the every day running of our public services, ending up on the streets.

Cillian Boggan, Wexford