Earlier this week I let you know that the INMO alongside Fórsa, Connect, MLSA and Unite trade unions would be attending a conciliation conference with the HSE in the Workplace Relations Commission on Thursday. The process lasted for just over 14 hours and adjourned just before 3 o’clock this morning.
During this process, the HSE made proposals which did not provide a basis to resolve the dispute. In response detailed proposals were made by the INMO, and the other trade unions involved. The HSE have said they need time to consider our proposals, and we will be back in the WRC tomorrow Saturday 29th of March at 9am.
We will be meeting the HSE this afternoon to discuss derogations and areas for consideration for exemptions from the work-to-rule. The INMO Derogation Committee will consider all notified exemptions, and these will be sent to your strike committees.
I know the lack of clarity from the HSE at this point is extremely disappointing. This dispute has not come out of nowhere, we have been strongly protesting the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy and the impact it is having on your ability to provide safe care for months. I want to make clear that unless the HSE react positively to the proposals put forward by the INMO and other unions our work-to-rule will be going ahead on Monday morning.
The decision to take part in any form of industrial action is not an easy one. You and 80,000 of your fellow healthcare workers will be taking a stand on Monday against the devastating impact the HSE’s recruitment caps have on your ability to provide safe and timely care.
We know the devastating impacts the Pay and Numbers Strategy is having across all parts of the public health service whether you are in a hospital or working in the community. It’s not just having an impact on service delivery but on the mental and physical wellbeing of nurses and midwives - the fact of the matter is the number of nurses and midwives being assaulted is increasing, instances of burnout are on the rise, and many colleagues are retiring early or choosing to go elsewhere.
I meet nurses and midwives every day of the week who tell me that ongoing recruitment caps and the constant scramble is stripping the humanity out of nursing.
Our work-to-rule is still going ahead on Monday. You are taking a brave stand for you, your colleagues and your patients. It is time to bring back safe patient care to the bed side and in the community, nothing less will do.
We will keep you updated over the weekend, through emails, our dedicated Safe Staffing dispute hub on inmo.ie and on our social media channels. If you have any concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your local INMO official or your local strike committee.