Ireland's two main nursing unions have announced they plan to step up their campaign over pay and working conditions.
The Irish Nurses' Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses' Organisation, which represent some 40,000 staff between them, are seeking a 10.6 per cent pay rise, a 35-hour working week and a special allowance for nurses working in Dublin.
Nurses work 39 hours a week, but they argue that most other health service grades work just 35 hours a week.
They also want the Health Service Executive to rectify an anomaly that sees qualified and unqualified child care workers paid more than nurses and midwives.
Nurses have to work for 21 years before being paid the same amount as childcare workers. Over each of the other years, childcare workers earn €2,000 to €3,000 a year more than nurses.
The unions presented eight claims to the Labour Court in June on behalf of nurses and midwives, having opted out of the "Towards 2016" pay agreement because they say it cannot address the legitimate concerns of their members.
Liam Doran INO General Secretary, said the Health Service Executive has failed its staff by not replying to questions asked by the Labour Court in August until last week. A final decision is now expected from the Court within weeks.
Mr Doran said the delay was an insult to nurses, midwives, and the Labour Court.
"Nurses and midwives have waited for 26 years to have progress on the 35-hour work claim," he said. "Now we are told we have to wait 21 years until a staff nurse is paid more than somebody reporting to them.
"We are not going to have employers ignore procedures and expect they can get away with it."
Des Kavanagh, General Secretary PNA added that there was absolute determination among nurses on the ground to get these issues resolved now.
Minister for Health Mary Harney said last May the nurses' pay claim amounted to €1.5 billion and that it was "not affordable" and "will not be paid".
The two unions held a joint rally at the Helix in Dublin City University last June that was attended by some 1,000 nurses. Their next protest will be held at the same venue on Wednesday, November 22nd.
Additional reporting: PA