The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) is to seek advice on the legality of any move by the Government to introduce public sector pay cuts that would reduce the salaries of nurses.
The INO executive council at a meeting this morning said a motion supporting Ictu’s proposal to enter discussions on any pay cuts for public servants was passed unanimously.
“The INO, in keeping with other public sector unions, will not enter into any discussions which are convened to consider pay cuts of any shape or form,” INO General Secretary Liam Doran said after today’s meeting.
He said the economic difficulties facing the country must be addressed “by all in Irish society in equal measure, according to their ability to pay.
“Nurses and midwives, because of cut backs and existing pressures on the health service, are likely to experience the worst impacts of the economic downturn in both physical and monetary terms,” he added.
He said the nursing union would not hesitate to use “every legal instrument” to defend living standards and terms and conditions
“Furthermore, if necessary, the INO will be a most active participant in any campaign of resistance organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, to defend our members in the wake of any attack, by government, on their pay levels”.
