Ripples from the 1999 nurses' strike were felt at the Irish Nurses Organisation conference last night as members decided, in closed session, to withdraw emergency cover in future strikes.
The withdrawal would not affect critical areas such as intensive care but would cause immense added inconvenience to hospital managers and patients. This is not to say that a strike is on the way. What it does show, however, is that the lessons of the 1999 strike are very much alive in the hearts and minds of INO members.
It also shows the mood among members is tough and pragmatic: if there is another strike, they intend to be ready. From their perspective, hospital managers exploited the free labour given by nurses providing emergency cover. They are not going to let that happen again.
The nurses have come to this conference with a successful strike under their belts - the contrast with other unions in recent and current high-profile disputes could not be more stark.
Since 1999 the nursing shortage has reached crisis point. The INO does not takes any pleasure in this - but it can only add to the confidence of members that they are in more demand than ever.
It also creates a challenge. How are nurses from widely differing cultures, such as the Philippines, to be integrated into the Irish scene? Will they want to join a trade union or will they form an increasing un-unionised segment in nursing?