Nurses’ union postpones pay deal recommendation

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has postponed a decision on whether to make a recommendation to members on the new public service pay agreement.

The union says it is frustrated at the “slow progress” made by the HSE in recruiting additional nurses under an agreement reached last April.

Under the agreement reached between the HSE and three nursing unions, 1,208 additional nurses would be recruited by the end of this year to fill vacancies across the health service.

The INMO says recruitment remains very low and retention continues to be “problematic”.

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The union is being put through a “tedious” process of having to ensure the agreement is implemented in all locations, it says, with some employers pleading lack of finance and blocking the powers given to directors of nursing and midwifery to recruit.

"There is huge frustration among the nursing and midwifery workforce on the frontline at the slow progress in providing adequate numbers to care for a growing number of patients," Dave Hughes, INMO deputy general secretary said after a meeting of the union's executive council.

Phil Ni Sheaghdha, INMO director of industrial relations, said progress was slow at regional level and barriers to recruitment and retention remain, in spite of a national implementation group.

"The INMO is committed to working proactively with the HSE and the Department of Health at national level throughout the summer months to get a workable implementation process at regional and local level."

The executive council will meet again in August to decide on its stance and members will be balloted between August 29th and September 14th.