The INMO says it’s not optimistic about today’s talks at the Labour Court.
The body has invited nursing unions and government officials to meet in an effort to avoid three days of strike action by over 40,000 nurses next week.
Talks got underway at 11am this morning.
Both sides will present their positions to the court.
The Labour court will then see if any common ground can be found to try and to resolve the dispute over nurses pay and staffing shortages.
📣Member's update: we're invited to exploratory talks at the Labour Court today. Further strikes can only be averted if government actually bring some serious proposals.
That's why we want a strong turnout at tomorrow's rally to demonstrate talks have to be real and meaningful.— Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) February 8, 2019
Next week’s action could see over 80,000 patients having planned medical appointments cancelled.
Phil Ní Sheaghdha, the General Secretary of the INMO, spoke on her way in to the talks:
We're not overly optimistic, we haven't seen any indication that there's any changes to the government position.
