Following a joint meeting of the officers of the Irish Nurses and Midwives’ Organisation (INMO) and the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division, both unions will be asking their executives to endorse a plan for industrial action over the coming weeks. Members of both unions voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action following the continued suppression and non-filling of vacant posts in the public health service.
Combined, both unions represent over 72,000 healthcare workers across numerous grades in the public health service. Other trade unions, including Connect Trade Union, Unite, and the Medical Laboratory Scientist Association, have also voted for industrial action.
INMO President Caroline Gourley said: “We take the mandate received from our membership extremely seriously. It is clear from the HSE’s Service Plan for 2025 that they intend to leave posts vacant and continue with their de-facto recruitment ban in the name of a Pay and Numbers Strategy.
“The new Government must confirm it will enact the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill and provide real measures to ensure safe staffing that delivers safe patient care. It is time to meaningfully engage with the health unions and give assurances that much needed posts will be filled.”
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