Delegates at the Irish Nurses' Organisation annual conference in Co Kerry have unanimously voted today to condemn a threat by health service employers to withhold pay rises.
The motion passed on the second day of the conference in Killarney instructs the INO's executive to take "whatever action necessary" to ensure the 3.5 per cent pay rise due to 30,000 INO nurses is received. The move could lead to an all-out strike by nurses.
Health service employers have threatened to withhold the pay increase from the beginning of next month. They claim the INO has breached agreements by refusing to co-operate with plans for the introduction of a new training module for healthcare assistants.
The INO says the move is in retaliation for its lunchtime A&E protests, which have been taking place at hospitals around Ireland for the past month.
"The heavy handed and unnecessarily provocative approach of the employers on this issue will only result in the goodwill and commitment of nurses and midwives, all over the country, being further eroded," said INO general secretary Liam Doran.
The organisation will also publish a position paper on whistleblowing, entitled Protection of Nurses/Midwives upon Disclosure of Practices of Concern in the Workplace.
This paper states that nurses, midwives or other healthcare employees should not be victimised or discriminated against in any way, by either their employer or other employees, or have their employment threatened or terminated, as a result of making a complaint in good faith, even if that complaint is not proven.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said today it welcomed the whistleblowing papaer, adding that it committed "to a positive culture of reporting and an inclusive approach to dealing with risks" in hospitals and community services.
"The HSE is currently developing a national risk management strategy and the contribution of all sections of our workforce will not only be valued but will be invaluable," said a HSE statement.
Tánaiste and Minister for Health Mary Harney is scheduled to address the conference tomorrow evening.