Mental health nurses at St Columba's Hospital in Sligo have voted to go on an official work-to-rule from today but have opted against all-out strike.
The nurses, members of SIPTU, have been on an unofficial work-to-rule for nearly two weeks in a dispute over work rotas. Last Friday they were given the go-ahead for a strike from today.
However, at a branch meeting on Wednesday night it was agreed that patients would suffer in the event of a strike. Non-nursing members of SIPTU at the hospital are also to go on a work-to-rule. Some 170 nurses and 60 laundry and maintenance staff will be affected.
SIPTU has accused the North Western Health Board of breaching agreements and of trying to introduce a flexi-rota. However, the NWHB has described the dispute as "unwarranted" and said the appointment of a new member of staff, who is on a different rota from others, did not contravene any agreement.
"There are permanent members of staff who don't know until 7 p.m. at night whether they will be working the following day or not," said Mr Eddie Cogan, of SIPTU.
There have been no negotiations between the sides since the dispute began.