INO set to call on protesters to vote against Government

THE main nursing union is poised to call for an anti-Government vote, yesterday’s rally in Cork was told.

INO deputy general secretary David Hughes said the union wants to meet Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny to discuss how he would resolve the nursing row if elected to Government.

Addressing almost 1,000 nurses in a one-hour work stoppage outside Cork University Hospital (CUH), he said Government parties are running out of time: “The next two weeks are crucial. There is no time limit on the nurses’ campaign and nurses are in it for the long haul. The INO will speak out soon on who we think our members should vote for. The Government parties are way off the mark in terms of resolving this. They don’t deserve your vote and they won’t get it.”

Nurses from CUH, Cork University Maternity Hospital, St Mary’s Orthopaedic and the mental health services took part in the rally. Fine Gael MEP and TD Simon Coveney joined party colleagues Michael Creed and Jerry Buttimer, Labour’s Ciarán Lynch and Socialist Mick Barry on the picket line.

PNA industrial relations officer Seamus Murphy criticised the lack of Government party representatives.