Health workers’ unions will ask their executives to endorse a plan for industrial action in the coming weeks, writes Helen Bruce.

Membership of both the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strikes, in protest at the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy.

They claim the policy is a “de facto recruitment ban” that has led to the suppression of jobs and thousands of vacancies being left unfilled.

The two unions represent over 72,000 healthcare workers.

Other trade unions including Connect Trade Union, Unite and the Medical Laboratory Scientist Association have also voted for industrial action.

INMO president Caroline Gourley said: “The INMO executive council... will meet early next week to endorse a strategy regarding industrial action devised by the officers of both the INMO and Fórsa trade unions.”

She added: “The new Government must confirm it will enact the Patient Safety (Licensing) Bill and provide real measures to ensure safe staffing that delivers safe patient care.

“It is time to meaningfully engage with the health unions and give assurances that much needed posts will be filled.”

Clodagh Kavanagh, chair of the Fórsa Health and Welfare Division, said: “It is quite ironic that on the day the Government announce a new Programme for Government, setting out their intention to recruit more staff and reduce agency spend, that two of the largest health unions have had to meet to discuss industrial action plans.

“Our members have seen this double-speak for what it is – disingenuous and damaging to services.”

In a statement to RTÉ, the HSE described the action as regrettable against the background of additional funding and increasing staff.

It said its Pay and Numbers Strategy has enabled it to stabilise its workforce numbers.