Around 40,00 nurses and midwives are to ballot on industrial action in a long-running dispute over hours and pay.
The Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) and the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) held a rally in Dublin today attended by over 1,200 members, where a plan of action was presented by union leaders.
Eamon O'Connor (2) who, with his mum Patricia a nurse from Drogheda, attended yesterday's INO/PNA national Rally at the Helix
The phased campaign includes lunchtime protests and a work to rule. Essential will services will not be disrupted.
The nurses are seeking a ten per cent pay rise and a 35-hour week in line with other medical professionals.
They also want the correction of an "anomaly" that has led to social care workers getting higher pay, even if unqualified. Unions claim nurses must work for 21 years before being paid the same as childcare workers who earn €2,000-€3,000 more.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has rejected their claim, saying it would cost the health service €1.5 billion.
The Labour Court earlier this month dismissed eight claims lodged by the unions, saying they should be dealt with through benchmarking. But the two unions, which represent around 40,000 nurses, are furious at the Health Service Executive's slowness in passing over information requested by the Labour Court after the ruling.
Sinn Féin Dáil leader and spokesman on health Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin today expressed support for the nurses.
"Members of the INO and the PNA are providing front-line care throughout our hard-pressed health services. Like patients, they feel the adverse affects of the health policy failures of the Government," he said.