Maternity hospital industrial action averted

UL Hospitals Group has welcomed the successful outcome to conciliation talks at the Workplace Relations Commission that have averted an industrial action planned for University Maternity Hospital Limerick tomorrow (Friday).

Earlier this month, the group had been notified by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation that its members intended to stage a work-to-rule after agreement could not be reached at the WRC on staffing levels at UMHL.

But an agreement reached last week, following re-engagement at the WRC, provides a basis for UL Hospitals, INMO and SIPTU to work on addressing the concerns expressed by staff. It also includes measures around rostering, training, elective activity and other matters.

The agreement was reached without prejudice to the National Birthrate Plus Workforce Planning Group established by the Minister for Health to assess appropriate staffing levels in our maternity services. A report from this group is awaited.

UL Hospitals Group CEO Colette Cowan said, “I recognise the sincere and genuine engagement by both sides in resolving these matters and we look forward to working with the INMO and SIPTU and all our staff in developing services  and providing the best possible care for mothers and babies at UMHL.”

Margaret Gleeson, chief director of nursing and midwifery, UL Hospitals Group, said, “As chief nurse, I value the engagement and the reciprocal effort that saw a return to the negotiating table. Both sides have worked very hard in recent weeks to find a solution for the benefit of our patients at UMHL and we look forward to that spirit of co-operation continuing into the future.”