Talks aimed at resolving the dispute over staffing levels at Sligo General Hospital will recommence tomorrow, unions said today.
The Irish Nurses’ Organisation said it had accepted an invitation to the talks facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission.
Nurses and midwives at the hospital took strike action last Thursday and had indicated they would hold another stoppage next Wednesday.
“In the interim the LRC have intervened and both parties have agreed to attend negotiations,” an INO statement said.
Industrial relations officer Noel Treanor said: “We have accepted the invitation on the grounds that, as with all disputes, a negotiated resolution will be required. We will commit ourselves fully to such negotiations.
“However, the commitment of our members to ensure safe staffing levels remains steadfast.”
The talks between Siptu, the INO and the HSE will commence in Sligo at 11.30am tomorrow.
On Friday night after the INO announced the intention to hold a second stoppage, the HSE accused nurses of a “gross dereliction” of their professional duties.
Just eight nurses were on duty at the hospital on Thursday after nurses held a strike to highlight what they claim are unsafe staffing levels at Sligo General.
The HSE asked that nurses provide emergency cover in accordance with industrial relations agreements.
It said it had made several proposals in an attempt to resolve this dispute all of which had been refused by the INO.