Labour Court recommends pay parity for Aras Mhuire nurses

The Labour Court recommended that Aras Mhuire Nursing Home, Listowel, agree in principle to bring nurses’ pay and related conditions into line with those in the public service. The recommendation, signed on 22 December 2006, says full implementation should take place within six months, with the home and Irish Nurses Organisation making representations to seek the necessary funding in the meantime. The union said nurses’ long service and added skills justified parity with public service comparators. Management accepted the claim was valid but said it could not sustain the cost without additional Health Service Executive funding. The Court described the parity claim as well founded while recognising the home’s financial circumstances.