Industrial action lifted at Portiuncula Hospital
By Mary O’connor
Industrial action was lifted at Portiuncula Hospital earlier this week following agreement between the nursing union, the Irish Nurses’ Organisation, and the HSE West.
The campaign, which began with a lunchtime protest outside the Ballinasloe hospital on Tuesday of last week, centred around what the union claimed was the “wrongful suspension” of two long serving senior nurse managers.
INO general secretary David Hughes warned then that unless the issue was resolved industrial action would escalate from December 1.
However following agreement between the two sides to appoint an agreed independent expert to review the procedures followed in the case the INO announced late on Monday evening that the industrial action was lifted.
The union said nurses decided unanimously to lift the industrial action with immediate effect at a “very well attended” meeting at the hospital on Monday evening.
“The review will be completed within a seven day time frame following commencement. There will be a managed return to work of the two senior nurses by an agreed independent mediator.”
David Hughes of the INO said its members at the hospital welcomed the resolution of the dispute and are satisfied that the “integrity of the nationally agreed procedure” will be subject to a fair review.
“Members also welcomed the mediated return of their colleagues to work.”
INO industrial relations officer in the west Noreen Muldoon said she was “extremely happy” with the outcome.
“I would like to thank all who co-operated, including all the other unions both in Portiuncula Hospital and outside who supported our members.”
In a statement the HSE West said both groups jointly welcomed the cessation of industrial action at the hospital.
“Both the INO and HSE have agreed proposals involving an independent review within an agreed time frame of the application of the disciplinary and grievance procedure.”
Brendan Mulligan, assistant chief executive HSE Employers’ Agency, said he welcomed the ending of the industrial action. He said that the priority now will be to resume the normal range of services at the hospital as a matter of priority.
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