Work to Rule begins today

national | rights, freedoms and repression | opinion/analysis

Monday April 02, 2007 11:56

by Supporter of Nurses

This is an anti-Mary Harney Rant.

The banner and link to the I.N.O site are included here so that people
can go take a look see. I am not a nurse, nor do I represent a union
anymore- but I have done and I know when a media campaign is being
played out.

In this instance Mary Harney is attempting to use media to isolate
the Nurses unions and it does not wash.

Last week she went live on the RTE Nine O clock news and said that
the maternity hospital problem in Cork was "about money":
Hogwash- The Maternity hospital problem was about the failure
of both the state and the HSE to think of the patient- its all down to
numbers and figures.
http://www.ino.ie

Irish Nurses Org Banner

Just because the Minister for Health states something is about money
does not mean it is, it means that she is incapable of understanding anything
except money.

The midwives in Cork had not done fire-drills, there was inadequate training
there was the chance of agency nurses being brought in who were unfamiliar with
the rotas and being paid higher than the midwives from the four maternity
hospitals in Cork.

They were obviously very unhappy with the situation. Indeed the spokeswoman
had accused the HSE of bullying. which does not surprise me anyway.
She re-iterated that the issue of the women was first and foremost.

This morning the INO and the Psychiatric nurses assoc. have begun a work to
rule, pay and conditions are cited. many psych nurses are working in third
world conditions where they have been assaulted (both physically and sexually)
Psychiatry in ireland is appalling, with drugs considered the panacea for all ills.
Chidren are often put in adult units.

Mary Harney thinks this is "about money too"

Its not- the unions are at the end of their tethers. There is bullying.
There have been new regimes brought in that are not agreed.
People have been fired so cheaper staff are brought in. There are allegations
of corruption and malpractice.

The Minister for health may repeat over and over that nurses must use the
structures. they do not work. Young peoples lives are at risk. Patient care is reduced to
drug company sponsorship. People are overworked and underpaid.

Solidarity to the Nurses Organisations!
Shame on Harney!

Shame on the Labour Party, who left the INO in Isolation!