Skip to content
Support Us

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Niall Carson

'Disillusioned and concerned': Midwives to start industrial action over staff shortages

They have voted in favour of action up to and including the complete withdrawal of labour.

MIDWIVES IN THE Taoiseach’s hometown of Castlebar, Mayo, are to start industrial action due to staff shortages.

The INMO members at Mayo University Hospital said they have voted in favour of action up to and including the complete withdrawal of labour.

In a statement this evening, the nurses said there are severe staff shortages in the maternity ward which need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Members said they would first perform a lunchtime protest on 5 December and then will implement a work-to-rule on 7 December, where “members will withdraw from clerical and support duties to focus on, and prioritise, direct midwifery care”.

If no progress is made at that stage, the union said it will proceed “to a full withdrawal of labour”.

Speaking today, INMO industrial relations officer, Anne Burke said:“Midwives are disillusioned with the HSE and its failure to listen and act in a timely fashion and put in place robust governance and safe staffing arrangements.

Our members have nothing personally to gain by speaking out except securing a safe, quality and appropriately staffed maternity service for mothers and babies.

Burke said that frontline midwives are very concerned about the ongoing clinical risks at the hospital, which the INMO claim have been left “unaddressed”.

Pay restoration protest Protests earlier this year. Niall Carson / PA Niall Carson / PA / PA

Earlier this month, the INMO called for an immediate discussion with the Government over pay and working conditions and balloted their members on the prospect of industrial action.

This was in response to recommendations made by the Labour Court on garda pay.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said at the time that he was “well aware of the challenges with recruiting staff nurses” and that his department was attempting to bring in as many new nurses as possible.

Read: UKIP wants the Irish government to help pay for a motorway in Wales with EU funds >

Read: Government to talk to public sector unions about Garda pay deal >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
11 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Itchy Brain
    Favourite Itchy Brain
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 12:25 PM

    I wonder is he worried.

    Either way he has enough to live off I guess

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hughie Janus
    Favourite Hughie Janus
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2011, 6:45 PM

    On paper he is worth several billion but until there is a Facebook IPO and he liquidates some of his stake then he’s living on his basic salary (which I don’t deny is probably worth a few dollars).

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul McMahon
    Favourite Paul McMahon
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 2:14 PM

    Looking to copy and paste some ideas no doubt..

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute stephenbreen
    Favourite stephenbreen
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 12:15 PM

    Why can’t I +1 this?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sue Anthony
    Favourite Sue Anthony
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 6:45 PM

    If you do something you enjoy, you never work a day in your life !

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Grand Slam Smith
    Favourite Grand Slam Smith
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 5:08 PM

    Don’t think money has ever been any sort of driver for the likes of Zuckerburg, he ‘makes things’ , cash happens to a be a happy side effect of that. Weirdo

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fitszpatrick
    Favourite fitszpatrick
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 5:36 PM

    I presume the last full stop was an error

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Garreth OMahony
    Favourite Garreth OMahony
    Report
    Jul 1st 2011, 9:42 PM

    How do we know that this mark zuckerburg

    It could be anyone. Anyone remember gay girls in Damascus. She turned out to be a middle aged man from Scotland

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank McMahon
    Favourite Frank McMahon
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2011, 2:03 PM

    speaking of which, your profile looks pretty fake. 33 friends, mostly older women?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Waterford
    Favourite Waterford
    Report
    Jul 2nd 2011, 2:08 AM

    I got an invite today and it is very good. Will be better when more join

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.