Ann Keating Looks at Recent Media Coverage Which Has Focussed on Industrial Action, Swine Flu and the INO's 90Th Conference
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Media Watch Action needed Ann Keating looks at recent media coverage which has focussed on industrial action, swine flu and the INO’s 90th conference Ballot for industrial action cuts on their staff.” He said: “The INO will ered our 90th Anniversary Conference INO to ballot for action as ‘24/7’ cam- now be insisting that the HSE adopt the – McAleese celebrates 90 years of top paign gains momentum was a headline same approach to our members as it has nursing care. “President Mary McAleese in the Industrial Relations News (October to its CEO and withdraw the threat of fur- joined members of the INO at the Green 8). “The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) is ther cuts to existing pay and conditions Isle Hotel to open the group’s annual con- to hold a nationwide ballot of its mem- of employment.” On the same subject in ference and mark its 90th anniversary.” bers working in the public health service, the Sligo Weekender (October 20) under The President “paid tribute to the devel- in order to seek a mandate for industrial the headline – Drumm bonus slated as oping role of nurses and of the INO over action in the event of attempts by govern- more Sligo jobs face chop – IRO Noel Tre- the past 90 years and to the quality of care ment to reduce the pay and conditions anor said “it was very hard for nurses not provided by nurses.” – including the premium pay and allow- to react cynically. I know people in Sligo Protests ances – of these workers.” hospital who are due back money on their Two very successful protests were held Liam Doran said: “This ballot is being basic salaries going back three and four in early November – the ICTU protest on commenced against the background of years and the HSE is saying that it cannot November 6 was reported in the Irish Inde- the government repeatedly stating that pay them.” pendent (November 7) – This is a class war, further cuts in the pay and conditions of Swine flu workers unite to tell the Government. public services are being actively consid- Dave Hughes, deputy general secretary “Public and private sector workers walked ered.” In the Irish Independent on October was quoted in the Sunday Tribune (October side by side in demonstrations across the 23 – Unions unveil one-day strike plan 25) in an article relating to swine flu – Con- country yesterday. For three hours, teach- as 100,000 begin balloting – Liam Doran cerns over ‘ludicrous’ HSE plans to limit ers, plasterers, firemen and students were was quoted: “If we have to demonstrate our flu clinic hours. He said “the organisation adamant that employers and government strength through industrial action it will understands that around 1,000 nurses will would not succeed in creating a divide be done. The government has to withdraw be taken out of the mainstream health sys- between those paid by the taxpayer and the threat to our terms and conditions of tem to help administer the vaccine. But he those who are not. The real fight, they said, employment and if they do that it will lead said the INO is extremely concerned after was between the rich and the poor.” In the to engagement with the unions.” it was told by HSE management that it same paper under the headline – Politi- On November 10 the Evening Echo will not be possible to bring in extra staff cians and bosses ‘are sowing division’ reported that Nurses vote for strike to cover these absences due to funding – Liam Doran said our “members are not action. “The INO last night revealed that difficulties.” pawns or statistics… participation in the 85% of members voted in favour of work Hospital merger talks street rallies was only the beginning of the stoppages to protect existing pay and The Northside People West (October fight to save the frontline services.” conditions of employment.” Liam Doran 28) reported on a planned merger of Meanwhile the 24/7 Frontline Services said “the strength of the vote confirmed Blanchardstown Connolly Hospital and Alliance, having had very successful march the depth of anger.” Beaumont Hospital. – Nurses excluded on Leinster House on November 11, “has HSE chief’s bonus from hospital merger talks. While IRO put direct pressure on TD’s to state clearly A e70,000 bonus for HSE chief was Eddie Mathews stressed “that nurses were where they stand on An Bord Snip Nua the subject of an article in the Herald AM not opposed to the merger” he said “We proposals to cut jobs and allowances, by (October 15) under the headline – Noth- sought to have a senior nursing manager sending them a questionnaire and visiting ing to do with me- Harney denies any included in the talks but our requests were their clinics” as outlined in an article in the role in HSE chief’s bonus. “Health minis- refused, despite the fact that nurses are Sunday Independent (November 15) – Alli- ter Mary Harney yesterday maintained a the largest deliverers of care. It is unprece- ance to open a new front on cuts – TDs lucrative e70,000 bonus to the country’s dented that an exclusive group should be asked for ‘yes or no’ answers on a series health chief was out of her hands.” set up to discuss such a major medical plan of McCarthy proposals. Liam Doran said: “This practice sees sen- without one representative for nurses.” ior management protect their interests 90th conference Ann Keating is INO Media Relations Officer while imposing savage and damaging The Tallaght Echo (November 11) cov- Email: [email protected] WIN December 2009 Vol 17 Iss 11 35 media watch-PG/INO.indd 2 23/11/2009 16:22:41.