Dear Colleague/Member 

This is to formally advise you that following a meeting of the Public Services Committee (PSC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) the proposals on public service pay and reform (2010-2014) otherwise known as the “Croke Park Proposals” have been accepted by a majority of the unions.

The INMO, consistent with the 84% rejection of the proposals by our members, and eight other unions, including second and third level teaching unions and prison officers, voted no but there was an overall majority in favour.

The INMO Executive Council, having considered this possible outcome, has now decided the following:

1. The INMO, in conjunction with members in locations in question, will examine all proposals for change and reconfiguration, on the basis of their impact upon patient care and the scope of practice of the nurse/midwife members affected by the proposed changes.

2. All members, at individual hospital/community setting must notify the Organisation of any request by local management, for change/reconfiguration, and must not accept change without their being full INMO involvement.

3. The INMO will now immediately prepare a guidance note, for the attention of all members, which will provide them with a checklist to ensure that any changes do not compromise their scope of practice, their ability to deliver safe care and, ultimately, their ongoing registration as a nurse or midwife.

It is expected that this guidance note will issue within seven days.

4. In parallel with this we continue in dialogue, with the Minister for Health and Children, on our alternative approach to achieving a better health service (as per the policy document adopted at the recent annual delegate conference). We have proposed possible pilot areas in which our alternative model, which protects patient care and frontline services, could be tested.

5. An integral part of this approach involves significant adjustment to the current recruitment moratorium (employment control framework) to the effect that it would protect frontline nursing/midwifery and other support posts with the emphasis being transferred on to administrative, management and other posts which are not essential for the maintenance of safe patient care.

Notwithstanding this disappointing outcome, with regard to the Croke Park Proposals, it is imperative that every member understands that they still have the right, and obligation, to say no to any proposed changes which affect the terms and conditions of employment or their scope of practice.

Any such proposals, presented by local management, must be brought to the attention of the INMO, immediately, and must be the subject of the specified procedure, in the Croke Park Agreement, which requires full consultation, union involvement, specified time periods and ultimately third party examination, before they can be implemented.  Management do not, and cannot be given, unilateral or unfettered powers, to dictate change, under this agreement.

In order to protect members, both as employees and as regulated professionals, under these proposals, it is more important than ever that members, at individual workplace level, advise the Organisation, immediately, of any management proposals and do not agree to implement any such proposals unless and until there has been full involvement of the INMO and their scope of practice is acknowledged and protected in any changes to the delivery of service.

The INMO will issue further guidance, on this critical development, in the coming days but members must use the Organisation to protect themselves in light of the changes that may be sought in the coming weeks and months.

Yours sincerely

LIAM DORAN
General Secretary