Current staffing conditions are not safe for members or patients, says Cork nurses union rep

Fórsa and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) served notice of industrial action to the HSE on Monday, with a Cork union rep saying that current staffing conditions are not safe for their members or patients.

The two health unions have served three weeks’ notice of the action, and union members in both the HSE and voluntary hospitals have been instructed to engage, commencing with a work-to-rule and other non-cooperation actions, from March 31.

Cork’s Colm Porter, INMO assistant director of industrial relations, said: “What led up to this is the HSE’S ongoing Pay and Numbers Strategy, which is causing great concern for our members on a daily basis.

“We’re seeing these vacancies not being filled, people leave and their jobs aren’t replaced, all coupled with significant demand on the health service, meaning people are being forced to work under more pressurised circumstances with less staff,” he said.

While notice has been served, the INMO is “open to talking”, Mr Porter said.

“We want to find a resolution to the issue, I don’t think anybody wants to get to a situation of industrial action... but if that doesn’t occur we will be commencing industrial action.”

This will take the form of a work-to-rule type arrangement first, he said, adding: “Should there be no movement on their end [the HSE’s], we could be seeking to escalate to potential work stoppages.”

“We don’t want there to be any impact on patient care, that’s the last thing our members want. There is contingencies in place in any industrial action for things like palliative and emergency care,” Mr Porter said.

“This isn’t industrial action for more money or better terms and conditions, this is for safe and better staffing.”

A HSE spokesperson said: “Any industrial action is regrettable at this time, in particular when the HSE and HSE funded agencies will continue to grow its workforce in a significant way in 2025.”

They said the HSE will seek “in every way possible” to have this action avoided.

“It is the view of the HSE, that any industrial action is a breach of the provisions of the Public Service Agreement, which is signed up to, and which they are full beneficiaries of, by all of the unions concerned,” the spokesperson added.