Nurses to be balloted on work-to-rule
Nurses and midwives are to be balloted over the next week on whether to continue their 44-day long work-to-rule after today agreeing to stop nationwide walkouts.
The breakthrough in the bitter dispute came after an intervention by the Government’s chief industrial relations trouble-shooters who proposed reducing the working week.
The National Implementation Body suggested the 39-hour week will be cut to 37.5 by June next year and an independent commission will report on how further reductions can be made.
It was met with a chorus of support from Health Minister Mary Harney, Finance Minister Brian Cowen and Health Service Executive chief Professor Brendan Drumm.
The Irish Nurses’ Organisation (INO) and the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA) said it was significant progress.
Relieved Prof Drumm said it appeared there was finally light at the end of the tunnel.
“Delivering on this recommendation will not be easy for the HSE or the Nursing Unions,” he said.
“If we move forward together in a constructive frame of mind we should, from the resources available, be able to meet the needs of patients and clients and the expectations of staff.
“We have an opportunity, if we can work through the various challenges during the years ahead, for nurses and midwives to enhance their roles, expand their potential and play a major role in our Transformation Programme.”
The NIB’s two-phased plan will be implemented on a cost-neutral basis for the 45,000 nurses.
And nurses will vote on the work-to-rule over the next week.
The news broke in the early hours of the morning when the INO/PNA alliance revealed two-hour work stoppages had been suspended to allow members to consider the recommendations.
The INO/PNA have been piling pressure on the Government and HSE to give them a 10% pay rise while bringing the working week down to 35 hours.
During the work-to-rule they refused to carry out what they called non-nursing duties including answering phones, clerical and admin duties, attend meetings and open community facilities.
Nurses and midwives claim they are working longer hours than many admin staff on equivalent grades.
But Mary Harney said she hoped they would approve the proposals and said the Government was pleased a potential solution appeared possible within the parameters of social partnership.
Also speaking about the future after the General Election, she added: “I’d love to return to this job, I relish it.”
Liam Doran, INO general secretary, welcomed the first steps towards a resolution.
“These proposals mark significant progress in reducing the working week and provide for a clear context within which the expanded role of the nurse/midwife may now be examined and valued by the benchmarking body,” Mr Doran said.
“Both unions wish to thank the NIB for their extended involvement in this dispute and their recommendations will now be considered by our 45,000 members across the country.”
The Government and the Department of Health insisted the pay claim could only be dealt with as part of the benchmarking process, which established rates of pay for public servants.
But Finance Minister Brian Cowen said the NIB’s recommendations offered the chance for a solution.
“They provide the scope for the resolution of the present dispute and a roadmap for dealing with the wide range of issues involved,” Mr Cowen said.
He also said the NIB proposals respect the integrity of the social partnership agreement, a critical element for the Government.
The HSE claimed the dispute which resulted in the start of the work-to-rule on April 2 caused major disruption to services and patients, and cost up to €3m a week.
The ballot is expected to last a week to ten days and the result will not be known until after the General Election next Thursday.
