Nurses in talks
Nurses today called off strike action planned in over fifty locations around the country. The industrial action, which was meant to happen from 11 until 12 today and tommorrow was cancelled when the nurses entered into talks with the government.
Consultants to strike?
The IHCA have announced plans to ballot on industrial action. The Association which represents consultants, says that shhould the ongoing dispute about contracts not be resolved, they may take industrial action beginning the 21st of May.
Nurses in talks
Nurses today called off strike action planned in over fifty locations around the country. The industrial action, which was meant to happen from 11 until 12 today and tommorrow was cancelled when the nurses entered into talks with the government.
Following a meeting of the National Implementation Body (NIB), senior government officials called for talks about the proposed changes to the working hours and pay of nurses.
Members of the INO, PNA, SIPTU and HSE employer’s agency entered into talks today at 3pm to discuss conditions. Although the work-to-rule action will continue until an agreement is reached, all involved parties seem to be happy about the progress that is being made.
- Who knew? Maybe the nurses WILL get their money. Watch this space….
Consultants to strike?
The IHCA have announced plans to ballot on industrial action. The Association which represents consultants, says that shhould the ongoing dispute about contracts not be resolved, they may take industrial action beginning the 21st of May.
Action taken would include consultants not making themselves available for meetings with senior members of the HSE and not taking part in national or hospital committees.
They have however, agreed to the same clause as the IMO. They say that, should the HSE promise to hire new consultants on existing or agreed contracts, they too would asist in the interview process for the 68 new consultants to be hired.
However, Mary Harney is not willing to provide a gaurantee of this. She says that, although she now thinks that it will be possible t0 agree new contracts for consultants, this new decision by the IHCA is “counter-productive”.
Whats the story- Harney must be going soft, shes so much mnore welcoming to negotiations than she was a few days ago- perhaps she remembered that there is an election going on. However, one weakness of the consultants is that. between the IHCA and the IMO, doctors cannot come up with one agreed position. They seem to be battling against each other as much as the HSE. How are we supposed to take them seriously? While the IMO seem to be losing steam (perhaps they have realised that their battle for a more ridiculous wage is a bit of a lost cause and have decided to settle for less), the IHCA seem to only be picking it up. I cant decide which i think is better- the IMO are silly to soften their poosition before even entering into talks, it give the HSE the upper hand immediately but the IHCA seem only to be angering the Minister…. Any comments from anyone??
