THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has urged its members to back pay restoration proposals following “lengthy deliberations”.

The recommendation follows two meetings with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform where the executive council received clarifications on recruitment and retention issues in nursing and midwifery.

The union said an examination of the issues would immediately be undertaken by the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) if the pay proposals pass the ballot.

This examination will be done independently of other sectors and a report will be issued during the second quarter of 2018.

The pay proposals came under the Public Service Stability Agreement. The deal would deliver pay rises of up to 7.4% for most workers.

The proposals, which were published in June, aim to reverse the financial emergency measures legislation that were introduced in 2009.

76% of Siptu members voted to back the pay deal earlier this month, while Impact members also backed it overwhelmingly in July.

An overall majority among members of Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) affiliated unions is needed for the agreement to be approved.

The deal is expected to be ratified by ICTU in the coming weeks.

INMO general secretary designate, Phil Ni Sheaghdha, said:

In adopting this recommendation, the Executive Council believes that the commitments given by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of the work of the Public Service Pay Commission, should ensure that a robust, expert, analysis of the problems, in recruiting and retaining nurses/midwives, will be undertaken and any recommendations implemented.

Speaking after the meeting INMO President Martina Harkin-Kelly said: “I believe it is in members’ best interest to accept the proposals under the current Public Service Stability Agreement LRA (2) as rejection of same, in advance of the Public Service Pay Commission concluding its work, would be premature.”

Members will now be balloted and the votes will be counted on Friday, 15 September.

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