The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) began industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule in Árd Gréine on 16 June. Both unions balloted their members for industrial action following a decision by the employer to withdraw a proposal that would have round-the-clock management on-site.
For two years, local HSE management promised that robust out-of-hours governance would be reinstated at the care facility. Based on this written commitment, nursing staff cooperated with a major service reconfiguration, enabling the move of vulnerable residents into two new residential houses.
Both unions agreed to deferring industrial action in good faith to allow management to make appropriate interim arrangements. However, proposals put forward by the HSE were not sufficient enough to call off the industrial action.
A spokesperson for both unions said: “It is unfortunate that the HSE could not bring forward solutions to stop this work-to-rule taking place. Our members deferred their initial planned action in good faith, but what is being proposed by the HSE will provide little change or comfort to staff and residents at Árd Gréine. Members of the INMO and PNA wish to express their disappointment that, having agreed to provide management with additional time to address the matter, no meaningful change has been proposed.
“The continued position that staff nurses would remain responsible for sourcing staff is not accepted. This issue is central to the dispute and remains unresolved. The decision by members of both the INMO and the PNA to take industrial action in Árd Gréine is not one that has been taken lightly. It is clear that ensuring appropriate governance structures are in place in intellectual disability services must be an immediate priority for the HSE.”
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