NIB talks to stall escalation of nurses’ dispute

THE planned escalation of the nurses’ dispute, which would have spread to 50 more hospitals throughout the country this week, has been put on hold for talks being brokered by the National Implementation Body (NIB).

However, the general secretary of the Irish Nurses’ Organisation, Liam Doran, made it clear last night that nurses will not suspend their work-to-rule until a settlement in the dispute over pay and conditions is closed.

One of the issues which could hamper the progress of talks has been this insistence by the nursing unions that their work-to-rule, now in its 22nd day, will not be suspended for the duration of negotiations.