Updated 16:50
Tomorrow’s strike by nurses is to go ahead after the Labour Court decided not to intervene.
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), the HSE and government officials spent eight hours at the Labour Court, with talks ending shortly before 1am this morning.
However, the court this afternoon said it will not intervene at this time.
It means 37,000 nurses are still set to stage a 24-hour strike tomorrow in a row over pay and conditions.
Thousands of outpatient appointments and elective surgeries have been cancelled ahead of the action.
The INMO has said it’s disappointed it still hasn't heard "serious proposals" from the Government to resolve the dispute.
INMO Director of Industrial Relations Tony Fitzpatrick said his union "has been forced into this position by a government that just isn’t listening".
“The largest strike in the history of the health service looms and the government seemingly has nothing to say," he added.
"We are always open for talks and to receive realistic proposals to end this dispute."
NEW: The INMO says it’s disappointed that the Labour Court has decided not to intervene in its dispute with the HSE. It says it’s still seeking reasonable proposals from the government on its pay claims and recruitment and retention issues. 37,000 nurses will be striking from 8am
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) January 29, 2019
Labour Court talks
Meanwhile, Patricia King, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), said the wider union movement wants an agreement.
“We are obviously very concerned about the outcome of this for the users of the health service; for the nurses who are working in the health service and indeed for all the other grades who will be affected,” she said.
“From our perspective; that is why we are here and why we took part in the court’s deliberations... to give it our best shot to see if we can come to a resolution.”
Members' update: Just finished over 8 hours of exploratory talks. Labour Court will reflect on whether further intervention would be of assistance at this time, which they will indicate tomorrow.
Strike preparations continue.
— Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) January 29, 2019
The planned industrial action will take place at all public Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities and Community Healthcare services from 8am on January 30th to 8am on January 31st.
The HSE has pledged to reschedule any appointments or procedures that are cancelled as soon as possible.
Any updates to patient services will be posted on the HSE website, in national newspapers and on social media.
Reporting from Shane Beatty
