Unions in nurses' dispute split on hospital deal

In a setback to talks aimed at resolving the Galway hospital dispute, unions have split on the latest deal proposed by hospital management.

The Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) says it intends to recommend what it describes as a "nurse-friendly agreement" to its 400-plus members at University College Hospital, Galway, at the weekend. However SIPTU, which represents just over 200 of the hospital's 600 nurses, has rejected the terms. The deal, which was negotiated in talks convened by the National Partnership Forum, involves closure of one ward on a temporary basis for refurbishment. (The Western Health Board had proposed to close two wards as part of budget savings.)

A dedicated ward will be provided for emergencies, and the temporary nurses threatened with dismissal will be re-employed until the end of the year for a minimum of 32 hours a week. The 45 nurses, only 33 of whom now remain, will be offered a sixmonth contract from January until June, and long-term temporary nurses will be offered permanent posts when these become available.

The deal also extends to a consultative process, including a nursing forum, which was welcomed last night by Ms Clare Treacy, the INO's regional organiser. "We will be recommending this to our members," Ms Treacy said, speaking after a three-day session of talks in the fourth week of the dispute.

Mr Michael Kilcoyne of SIPTU expressed disappointment at the INO's decision, and said that the proposals were not substantial enough. The hospital management had refused to reopen an operating theatre which had been closed earlier this month as part of the measures. "We won't accept ward closures, and we are not satisfied that provision of a dedicated ward will meet needs if there is a buildup in casualty," he said. "We are still available for further negotiation," he added.

The Western Health Board, welcoming agreement in principle with the INO, appealed to SIPTU to work with the board and continue discussions, and said that all emergency and urgent work would continue at the hospital.

The board had hoped to save £300,000 on expenditure to Christmas by closing the two wards and a theatre and laying off 45 temporary nursing staff. Under the Health Amendment Act, health boards must remain within budget, and the WHB is expected to overrun by £1.7 million.