Nurses on the picket line outside St Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin yesterday sent out a clear message that they would not be backing down on their demand for a pay rise and a shorter working week.
They also warned that if the pay and conditions of nurses were not improved they believed nurses would "haemorrhage" out of the country.
Those protesting included nurses from St Vincent's who walked off wards for an hour as part of an escalation of the campaign of industrial action by the Irish Nurses' Organisation (INO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA). They were joined in a show of support by nurses from other Dublin hospitals. Many foreign nurses said that they found the cost of accommodation in Dublin on their current salaries prohibitive.
Several of the placards the nurses carried were directed at Minister for Health Mary Harney. One carried the wording "Mary stop using public money to slate us and just pay us", while another read: "12,000 gone in last 8 years. Mary stop the haemorrhage".
In brilliant sunshine their mood was upbeat despite their frustration at having being left with no other option, as they saw it, but to resort to industrial action. Passing traffic honked approval for their protest.
Bernadette Stenson, a clinical nurse manager at St Vincent's, said that they were back on the picket line because they were not being recognised and not being listened to. "It's unfortunate that it has come this far, but we are very determined to see it through . . . I feel nurses are not prepared to back down on this. The Government are going to have to listen."
Fionnuala McCusker, also a nurse in St Vincent's, said that the protest was very important. "We are just looking for parity along with our other colleagues . . . For our own self-esteem it is very important that we do follow this through. I think whenever we had this strike all those years ago we didn't really get anywhere. We have to stand firm this time. We are very positive about it."
Una Gibbons, another nurse in St Vincent's, said that they only wanted a 35-hour week, like other health service professionals. She said that there was no danger of the nurses giving in: "This time we will not blink first."
INO president Madeline Spiers was also at the protest. She said that nurses would not stay in the profession if their pay and conditions were not addressed. "Six out of 10 new nurses intend to leave the profession within the next three years . . . The way we are being treated is driving us out of the profession and our concern is that patient care will suffer," Ms Spiers said.
The nurses were addressed by INO general secretary Liam Doran, who told them: "All we are doing is trying to deliver for you something that you've waited far too long for already."
The nurses applauded.
He continued: "Never ever take a step back in this campaign. Never ever say sorry for looking for what other people already have, whether it be a 35-hour week or a pay regime that represents the quality of your professionalism . . . Never ever apologise . . . You deserve everything that we are looking for. Make no apology. Take no step back and together and united we will succeed."