Nurses to escalate action against cuts
Liam Doran
Nurses and midwives tonight vowed to escalate their campaign of industrial action against Government cuts.
The national executive of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) unanimously voted to support a protest alongside public service unions which could cripple services in the country.
It is believed the dispute will result in the country being split in to five regions with angry workers protesting in each area on a different day of the week.
Education, health and local authority offices and services would all be hit by the rolling work stoppages.
IMNO general secretary Liam Doran said its national executive was satisfied members nationwide remain fully prepared to escalate industrial action.
“It is our view this escalation must involve strike action including the withdrawal of labour and should be commenced as soon as possible,” said Mr Doran.
The campaign against the one billion euro public sector pay cut hit health services in the Dublin North East region today with staff refusing to answer telephone for four hours.
Members of Impact employed in other areas – including education, local government, welfare and local services – have already intensified their industrial action.
And 83% of those in the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU), which represents 13,000 lower-paid workers, have voted to go on strike.
Unions are expected to finalise a plan of action at a meeting of the public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions next Monday.
Mr Doran warned Government must reverse pay cuts, make guarantees over future pay, protect existing pension entitlements and protect job security, including the removal of the threat of outsourcing.
“My executive council is also of the view that this campaign must be escalated to secure a shift in approach, from this government, towards its employees, our members,” he continued.
“The government must be persuaded that this campaign will continue, and be escalated still further, unless and until it comes back to the negotiating table.”
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