Healthcare workers vote for industrial action against HSE [Video]

Thousands of healthcare workers have voted for industrial action in protest at staffing levels across the HSE, writes Sophie Carlin.

Up to 80,000 nurses, midwives and administration staff are set to take industrial action, up to and including strikes, in the new year after ballots by leading unions the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Unite and Fórsa.

They say the HSE Pay and Numbers strategy has left workforce numbers frozen since 2023, creating safety issues for patients.

Members of Unite working for the HSE “voted overwhelmingly” for industrial action, the union said yesterday.

INMO members voted 95.6% in favour, while Fórsa staff voted 93.6% in favour of industrial action.

An INMO spokesperson confirmed: “Members voted for industrial action up to and including strike action.”

Other healthcare unions, such as those representing medical lab scientists, are still balloting.

But if they also vote in favour, it could lead to up to 80,000 healthcare workers taking industrial action …