Nurses' dispute intensifies following pay stoppage announcement

A row has developed between unions and employers over the disclosure today that nurses' pay will be stopped on Tuesday if they go on strike. The Health Service Employers' Agency dismissed criticism from unions and said that it told representatives of the umbrella group, the Nursing Alliance,last Wednesday that nurses would be paid for work up to 8 o'clock on Tuesday morning. The HSEA said the Nursing Alliance raised no objections. The Irish Nurses' Organisation called the decision an open act of provocation, while SIPTU said that it was sad that its members had to read about the decision in the newspapers rather than being told directly. SIPTU's nursing representative, Oliver McDonagh claimed that the HSEA were being confrontational by not communicating directly with the Unions.

Commenting on the pay stoppage, the Chairman of the Nursing Alliance, Liam Doran, said that while members were not surprised by the action, it was being viewed as a further indication of the hardline stance taken by employers. He said that the move confirmed that from Tuesday nurses throughout the country would be providing emergency cover without being paid for it. The Irish Nurses Organisation does not have a strike fund so those on strike will get little or no strike pay.

Mr Doran reiterated that unions were available for talks at any time, providing those talks were aimed at addressing the outstanding issues of pay. Nurses unions have indicated that they are willing to enter talks with health employers at the Employer-Labour Conference to avert a strike. The conference is a discussion forum used to resolve industrial disputes.

Hospital managers are meeting strike committees and other health workers over the weekend to work out plans for emergency cover for the industrial action. It is understood that the arrangements will not be concluded before Monday. The Irish Hospital Consultants' Association has called on the Government and the unions to meet. The Association said that while Consultants would do their best, there was serious concern at the consequences of a prolonged strike.