Nurses to begin nationwide strike ballot
Nurses and midwives are to begin a series of ballots today on possible industrial action to pursue improved pay and conditions.
The plans being voted on by the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) include lunch-time protests, work-to-rule actions and an eventual withdrawal of labour.
The two groups are demanding pay increases of more than 10% and a reduction in the working week from 39 to 35 hours, saying this should bring nurses' conditions in line with other healthcare professionals.
The Labour Court has already ruled that the claims should be pursued through the benchmarking process.
However, the INO and the PNA say they are determined to take whatever action is necessary to secure the changes if talks in the coming days do not resolve the matter.
