Nurses ballot for industrial action in Sligo

Members of the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) at Sligo General Hospital are to ballot for industrial action over job losses, it was announced today.

The move follows confirmation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that it does not intend to renew the contracts of 19 temporary nurses and indicated that it may close a ward at the hospital because of financial constraints.

“Members in Sligo General have seen the numbers of nurses and midwives diminish over recent months and years, commencing with the release of the 2007 graduates. The non-covering of maternity and other such leave, combined with the incremental reduction in numbers, has left our members concerned about their ability to provide a service, safely, at the current levels," said INO industrial relations officer, Noel Treanor.

"The latest reduction in the numbers of qualified nursing staff is a step too far and action must now be taken to call a halt," he added.

Balloting of members will proceed over the coming days.

On Friday, several hundred Siptu members at Sligo General voted for industrial action - up to and including strike action – following a decision by management to end automatic entitlement to sick pay