The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation have announced two further strike days

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) have announced two additional dates for the nurses and midwives' strike.

The number of serves on strike will also increase, from 82 to 240. The newly-announced strike days will take place on February 19 and 21. These are in addition to the already-announced strikes on February 5, 7, 12, 13 and 14. The INMO will also be organising a national rally on Saturday, February 9. Nurses and midwives are seeking to secure safe staffing levels in the health service, through increases in pay to make the professions more attractive. INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha said:

“Nurses and midwives proudly stood up in defence of our patients and professions last Wednesday, but the government has responded with threats and intransigence. “Everybody – except the government – recognise that there is a serious understaffing problem in our health services. The public support for the strike on Wednesday showed that the Irish people stand with nurses and midwives. “Our message is clear. We will not be going away – resolving this dispute requires direct engagement from the government, recognising the real recruitment and retention problems in Irish nursing and midwifery. “We simply want to be able to do our jobs, but our health service cannot hire enough nurses and midwives on these uncompetitive wages. “As ever, we remain available for talks with the government for any realistic proposals.”