Nurses and HSE enter third day of talks on pay dispute

Nurses are preparing for a third day of talks with the Health Service Executive today aimed at resolving their dispute over pay and working hours.

The talks are taking place under the auspices of the National Implementation Body set up as part of the social partnership process to oversee industrial peace.

The INO and PNA postponed a series of planned work stoppages this week to allow for the talks to take place, but they say they are not overly optimistic about making any progress on their claim for a 10% pay rise and a 35-hour working week.

Meanwhile, separate talks between the INO and St Vincent's Hospital are also due to reconvene today in an effort to resolve a dispute about the number of nurses serving on the union's strike co-ordination committee.

Management has threatened to seek an injunction against the INO, claiming it is holding meetings on union issues in critical care areas of the hospital.