Members of the SIPTU Nursing and Midwifery Sector Committee have today (Tuesday, 12th March) sought to refer proposals for the introduction of an enhanced Nursing and Midwifery contract to the Labour Court. Speaking after the lengthy meeting today in Liberty Hall, Dublin, SIPTU Nursing and Midwifery Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis said: “Our national committee has scrutinised the terms set out in the draft contract of employment for an enhanced nursing and midwifery grade and ultimately, our members have decided to reject this document.” He added: “This considered position has been reached in response to an attempt by management to undermine the core terms and conditions of our members’ employment under the guise of productivity. It is clear that this is an attempt to smash and grab concessions from our members which were firmly rejected when unions negotiated the Public Service Stability Agreement.” SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said: “Our SIPTU Nursing and Midwifery Sector Committee hasformally communicated to the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) our request for this dispute to be referred to the Labour Court. SIPTU members cannot accept a management proposal that generates inequity, instability and undermines their terms and conditions which they have worked for so long to achieve.” He added: “The forceful redeployment of our members to different work locations throughout the period of a shift cycle, as well as the destruction of rosters, is simply unacceptable.”
SIPTU seeks referral of enhanced nursing contract to the Labour Court
