Anne-Marie Walsh: 'If staff walk off wards, winning the public over to their side will be tough'

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Anne-Marie Walsh

It's quite possible these threatened strikes by nurses will never happen. At the moment, it's easy to get caught up in the drama that usually comes with overwhelming ballots in favour of industrial action. But the endgame for the nursing unions is talks, to improve on a €20m offer that's already on the table.

There's a lot at stake. If they go ahead with their 24-hour stoppages, they will end up losing serious pay hikes. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe's department has mentioned delaying pay rises due under an existing deal and an increment freeze. Now it's warning they will sacrifice their slice of a deal to end the two-tier pay system for recent recruits. This will not go down well with many members.