Proposals aimed at resolving the dispute involving 40,000 nurses, which has been running for nearly seven weeks, were being considered by union leaders last night.
The plan would see the working week for nurses reduced to 37.5 hours by June 2008. It would also involve the establishment of an independent commission that would examine how the health service could introduce a 35-hour week for nurses on a cost-neutral basis.
The informal proposals, which were put forward yesterday by the National Implementation Body (NIB), would also involve a referral to the benchmarking body of a 10 per cent pay claim by nursing unions.
The proposals were drawn up in recent days by the NIB, the main trouble-shooting mechanism of the social partnership process, and were given last night to the Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) and the Psychiatric Nurses' Association (PNA).
It is understood Minister for Health Mary Harney insisted that any agreement had to be on a cost-neutral basis. The proposals were considered to be informal and would only be put to management if the unions indicated acceptance.
Sources said the plan envisaged the introduction of a 37.5-hour week by June next year subject to agreement between the parties on productivity and work practice reforms so it could be put in place without costing more money or leading to a reduction in services.
The proposed new commission would comprise five members and possibly be chaired by a judge. It would include two international experts appointed by the Government and two representatives proposed by unions and management.
Sources said it would examine international evidence for best nursing practices and deployment. It would also identify changes and flexibility needed to achieve a 35-hour week and seek to marry these to proposals for reform already put forward by the unions.
The commission would also look at how changing the work practices of nurses might affect other groups in the health sector such as non-consultant doctors.
Sources said it was envisaged that the commission would complete its work within six months and that at that point the Labour Court would become available to examine timetables for the further reductions in nursing hours.
The proposals come as the HSE warned that about 1,400 patients would be affected by a nationwide two-hour work stoppage planned by the INO and PNA for today. The unions also plan an overtime ban from Friday.