Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action over delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal.
Of the members balloted, over 99% voted in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action.
Members of several public sector unions have backed industrial action over what they describe as the Government’s failure to make a meaningful offer on public sector pay.
The previous public sector pay deal expired on 30 June, and formal talks have yet to begin on a successor agreement.
Earlier today, the Fórsa trade union said its members working in the public health sector will begin industrial action in the form of a work-to-rule from 30 September.
INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said that the morale of members is on the floor.
“Members on the ground, who are working in extremely challenging conditions due to overcrowding and understaffing, have made it clear that they are dissatisfied with the lack of urgency surrounding the cost-of-living pressures they are facing,” Ms Ní Sheaghdha said.
“With no public service pay agreement currently in place, we believe the Government must face the reality of the real costs our members face: rising household costs, rising rents, rising fuel costs, rising childcare costs, and the emotional and physical costs of showing up to work well before your shift starts in the hope of getting a parking space,” she added.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has previously said that any form of industrial action in the public sector is completely unnecessary.
He said officials in the Department of Public Expenditure are willing and open for substantive engagement with public sector unions.