Members of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) are to begin industrial action on 1 October over delays in agreeing a new public sector pay deal.
The action will initially take the form of a work-to-rule but the union has warned that this could be escalated to strike action.
“The cost-of-living crisis, not only what has been experienced but the uncertainty into the future is a major factor in this decision and has not been taken lightly,” said PNA General Secretary Peter Hughes.
“This issue arises during crisis in many areas of the service, including recruitment and retention, the non-employment of new graduates, the non-recognition of a WRC agreement in relation to numbers and the failure to secure the implementation of Recommendations 41–43 of the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery,” Mr Hughes said.
It was announced this week that health workers who are members of SIPTU and Fórsa are to commence work-to-rule action from 30 September.
Union members across the public sector are voting for 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.
The Department of Public Expenditure said it is disappointing that unions have not taken the opportunity to engage in recent weeks.
“It is important that both sides return to the table to work towards a public service pay agreement,” a spokesperson said.
“Meaningful progress can only be achieved where both parties are open to constructive and sustained engagement, without preconditions on either side,” they added.