Healthcare unions in dispute planning stage

Following a joint meeting of the officers of both the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division, both unions say they will be asking their executives to endorse a plan for industrial action over the coming weeks. 

Membership 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.  

Both unions represent over 72,000 healthcare workers across numerous grades in the public health service are now in the planning stage of a dispute.

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 it is time for the government to “meaningfully engage” with the health unions.

“The INMO Executive Council, made up of working nurses and midwives, will meet early next week to endorse a strategy regarding industrial action devised by the officers of both the INMO and Fórsa trade unions,” she 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 patients care.

“It is time to meaningfully engage with the health unions and give assurances that much needed posts that will ensure patient and staff safety will be filled.” 

Clodagh Kavanagh, Chairperson of the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division said they will now work with their INMO colleagues to challenge the staffing approach.

“It is quite ironic that on the day the Government announce a new Programme for Government setting out their intention to recruit more staff and reduce agency spend, that two of the largest health unions have had to meet to discuss industrial action plans. Our members have seen this doublespeak for what it is – disingenuous and damaging to services,” she said.

“Our mandate is clear and we will now work with our colleagues in the INMO and other health unions to ensure that the current disastrous staffing approach is challenged.”