Healthcare unions suspend tomorrow’s work-to-rule plans following talks with HSE

Nurses and midwives will now be balloted on the proposals which were discussed during talks at the Workplace Relations Commission.

Over 80,000 health service workers including nurses were set to begin a work-to-rule tomorrow in a row over understaffing and the use of agency workers to plug gaps.

In response to news that an agreement and been reached and industrial action was averted, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said: “We very pleased that the threat of disruption tomorrow has been lifted and our commitment to all of our workforce and all representative bodies is reflected in the agreement.”

The unions Fórsa, United, Connect, MLSA and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) had been due begin a work-to-rule over what they say is the decommissioning of thousands of vacant posts last year.

Nurses, clerical workers,…