Medical staff demand meeting with union negotiators

Nurses and doctors want a full meeting of the public service negotiating team for a “detailed debate” on the Government’s demand for premium payment cuts under Croke Park II.

In a statement to members last night, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation said it had told the Government again at yesterday’s talks that existing pay rates cannot be reduced.

“The INMO, together with the Irish Medical Organisation has requested, an early meeting of the full trade union team involved in the talks process,” it said. “This is to allow for a detailed debate on the issues that have arisen, in the talks to date, and in particular, the management side’s continued demand for a reduction in premium pay rates and the union side’s collective response to this. It is expected this meeting will take place within the next two days.”