The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) is strongly considering initiating industrial action over a pay dispute with Caredoc, and will be holding a protest on Wednesday following a meeting with the union SIPTU.
In a letter sent to Caredoc members that was seen by Gript, the group accused management of refusing to engage with concerns raised regarding the 2023 WRC Pay Agreement at Caredoc.
“Despite confirmed funding and repeated attempts by the INMO to engage constructively with management, Caredoc continues to refuse to enter discussions to resolve the outstanding pay issues,” the group wrote.
They add: “Given this ongoing lack of engagement, the INMO will now move to notify Caredoc of our intention to commence industrial action, including a withdrawal of labour.”
The group say they will be organising a joint INMO-SIPTU meeting on Wednesday morning, followed by a protest outside Caredoc offices.
“We will be meeting with your workplace representatives to discuss the next steps and to ensure that all contingency and organisational arrangements are fully in place.
“Further updates will issue shortly outlining the planned industrial action in detail, including what it will mean for you as members.
“Your support is essential as we seek the 8% increase owed under the 2023 WRC Section 39 agreement for INMO members working in Caredoc. Thank you for your continued support.”
The INMO describes itself as “the only union dedicated to representing nursing and midwifery in Ireland”. It has around 50,000 members employed across Ireland’s health sector.
In a follow-up letter to TDs and Councillors,
Dear TDS & Councillors, the organisation sought “support and solidarity” ahead of the protest.
“350 staff are employed by Caredoc – up to 2022 we were paid as Public Servants, with Public service pay rises and the cuts too,” the letter reads.
“Over the last 3+ years (4 years in March) all avenues for resolution have been exhausted, 2 WRC hearings were granted in our favour – 2023 and 2025 to no avail and no payrises. The reconciliation system has failed us.”
They added that a “withdrawal of labour” may be necessary, though this is not a preferred option.
“As nurses, we do not wish to resort to “withdrawal of labour”, but the pay discrepancy is now getting too wide,” the group wrote.
“We have missed 8 public sector pay rises, (starting with Building Momentum public service pay rises) and 6 Section 39 pay rises.
“It seems we are no longer part of any health service pay structure, or even deemed worthy of cost of living pay rises that everyone else benefited from…We did not even receive the Pandemic Bonus which was also received by our HSE equivalent counterparts.
“To put it in context – A Caredoc Nurse covering the night shift is on 25% less pay than the murses in our Hospitals, district hospitals and community hospitals…is that fair?”
Caredoc has been contacted for comment.