Senior nursing executives in the new hospital groups established by the Government are to receive pay increases of €600 a month.
The increases for directors of nursing and midwifery in the hospital groups have been recommended by an independent arbitrator on an interim basis pending completion of a full review of grading and salary structures for the posts.
The pay recommendation represents the first outcome from a series of industrial relations processes across the public service that were either established or accelerated as part of “side deals” negotiated between unions and Government departments and agencies in parallel to the recent Lansdowne Road agreement.
The deal itself provided for most public-service staff to receive an additional €1,000 next year and the year after.
Range of claims
However, the Lansdowne Road talks were also used by unions and management as a form of clearing house to address a range of other outstanding claims and grievances such as an interim award for the half dozen or so hospital group directors of nursing.
The Government has consistently refused to publish the details of these side deals although most have been leaked or highlighted by unions to their members.
Directors of nursing and midwifery were appointed to new hospital groups established by the Government on the salary rates that already applied for senior nurse managers in individual hospitals. These rates ranged from about €70,000 to €81,500.
The Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation (INMO) and Siptu argued the pay level should be set at the rate applying for HSE assistant national directors. These range from €90,500 to about €110,000.
Equal team members
The unions contended the directors of nursing were full and equal members of the executive management teams in the hospital groups but were paid significantly less.
They also argued that they supervised senior nursing managers in individual hospitals who received the same salary. Unions said this was illogical and undermined the position of the group directors.
Unions called for a down payment for the group nursing directors pending the finalisation of the full review.
The HSE and Department of Health contended that granting any increase would be premature. They also warned it could set a floor for the posts without all the relevant facts being considered.
Arbitrator Raymond McGee said assuming the full review would be completed by the end of September the directors of nursing should from the time of their appointment to that date receive a monthly interim supplement of €600. He said this could be offset against any final settlement.
Last night INMO general secretary Liam Doran said his union accepted the arbitrator's recommendation.
