THE INMO and SIPTU have suspended industrial action that was due to commence at Limerick University Maternity Hospital tomorrow.
The unions have reached agreement on a set of proposals put forward by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
Some 97.5 per cent of midwives confirmed their levels of frustration and concern by voting in favour of a work-to-rule, which would have seen midwives withdraw from all clerical administration roles to prioritise all care for pregnant women, mothers and babies.
The proposals put forward at the WRC will see an additional 30 nurses and midwives recruited to work at the hospital over the next number of months and this will significantly stabilise the workforce and services for mothers and pregnant women attending.
The INMO has also secured agreement that there will be a review undertaken of additional supports that are required at this hospital and a revision of the education and training supports.
Mary Fogarty, INMO industrial relations officer said: “Our members met on Monday November 23, to discuss these proposals. After lengthy discussion, it was agreed, by a majority of 80 per cent, to accept the proposals and to suspend any action for a period of six months pending a review at that time on implementation progress. All of these issues will be subject to review periodically with the Workplace Relations Commission.”
