NURSING unions are to proceed with ballots on industrial action after failing to make progress in exploratory talks with management.
Talks are to resume at the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board in Dublin this afternoon in another bid to find common ground.
Both sides declined to comment on the content of the first day of discussions yesterday. However, it is understood that management indicated the only way an improved offer could be made under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work (PCW) would be through long service increments for staff nurses.
The unions were asked to examine a package that offered a maximum of £19,200 for staff nurses with 17 years' service. This is still about £400 below what the unions are seeking for nurses at the top of the present scale, which is reached after only nine years' service.
It would still leave nurses £5,000 to £7,000 a year behind groups like teachers, social workers and executive officers in the Civil Service who are at the top of their respective scales.
It is understood that nurses with 14 years' service would receive about £18,700, but there would be no improved pay offer for nurses with less service.
Given the gap between the two sides it is hardly surprising that after the day long talks the unions decided ballots should proceed.
A problem the Government negotiators face is that 51 per cent of staff nurses are at the top of the existing nine year scale. To increase this significantly for such a large number around 8,500 would push the pay deal through the 3 per cent limit set on productivity pay rises by the PCW.
One union leader said last night that nurses were being penalised for being so reasonable in the past.
Nurses comprise 45 per cent of public health workers and any deal with them will set a headline for other groups.
In order to avoid this, management is also offering to divert the claim to arbitration, where a disinterested third party could objectively assess the claim.
This might be accepted by the unions provided they are assured that funds would be made available to meet the award.
If there is no breakthrough today, then management negotiators may have to return to the Department of Health for further consultations.
Meanwhile, the strike timetable remains on schedule.