Irish nurses strike over pay and hours

Over 40,000 Irish nurses are taking industrial action in a row over pay and conditions.

Members of the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses' Association have been involved in a work to rule since the beginning of April after talks broke down.

Q&A: Nurses on Strike

The dispute is due to escalate today with work stoppages for short periods of time at targeted hospitals across the country.

Talks with the Health Service Executive broke down earlier this year and they warn that these stoppages will impact on patients.

The nurses want a 10% pay rise and a shorter working week. They argue they are entitled to a reduced 35 hour week, which would bring them into line with other health professionals.

National pay agreement

The government says that they will not negotiate with individual sections of public sector workers over pay and conditions. They argue that nurses must accept the national pay agreement negotiated with all the public sector.

The stoppages on Wednesday will be for a one hour period between 1100 and noon. The unions have nominated three hospitals for the action, St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin, South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmenl and the South Tipperary Mental Health services.

The HSE have been negotiating with the hospitals to try and minimise the number of planned non-emergency procedures that will be affected by the work stoppages.

Patients in Dublin have been asked to attend at their appointed time and not to ring the hospital in advance. They hope that day procedures will happen but there may be delays.

The Clonmel hospital has already announced the cancellation of some procedures and clinics.

The work to rule industrial action has been in place for several weeks. Nurses have been refusing to undertake administrative duties, answer telephones or attend meetings.

Further stoppages at other hospitals are planned for Friday. If the dispute continues long term, there will be an escalation of stoppages countrywide, both in number and duration.