1,000 nurses in `militant' west are urged to accept package

UP TO 1,000 nurses in the more "militant" west were urged to accept the Labour Court settlement package at two consecutive Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) meetings in Galway last night.

Tensions between the INO and SIPTU, the two main unions representing 2,650 nurses in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon were evident when several members of SIPTU were turned away from the gatherings in the Galway Bay Hotel, both of which were closed to the media.

The meetings were addressed by the INO general secretary and chairman of the Nursing Alliance, Mr Liam Doran.

Speaking to The Irish Times shortly after his arrival, Mr Doran denied that the alliance was under internal pressure in the area. "We are all under pressure . . it's the climate we're in."

He said he had spoken to SIPTU officials earlier in the day and the front was united. The INO represents the bulk of nurses in the three counties, with about 1,900 members.

Mr Doran admitted there were strong feelings about the package in Galway but said it was up to the alliance to inform nurses about the recommendations.

He declined to predict an outcome to the ballot but pledged that the unions would go back on strike if it was rejected.

"There's a lot of misunderstanding out there and I hope that once all the elements are explained to nurses that it will be accepted."

He rejected criticism of the decision to call off the picket earlier this week before a ballot had been held.

"It's a union rule. People have got to understand union democracy, and the fact that union rules must be accepted."

The INO general secretary is due to address further gatherings over the next few days, including a regional meeting in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, at the weekend.

SIPTU members are due to be addressed by their officials in the Great Southern Hotel, Galway, on Monday night.

Earlier yesterday, Ms Helen Murphy, of SIPTU in Galway, said there was still "a lot of anger out there". She had doubts as to whether the vote on the three recommendations would be carried.