2,000 nurses and midwives protest against NMBI fee increase
Over 2,000 nurses and midwives, from across the country, attended a protest on Tuesday, 18th November, outside the head offices of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) in Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
For over an hour they collectively indicated their outright opposition to any increase in the NMBI retention fee above €100. At the protest a letter, detailing nurses and midwives opposition to the 50% fee increase, was handed to the NMBI President.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “The success of this protest is an important step in having this unjust increase reversed”.
SIPTU and other health sector unions have also asked Department of Health officials to examine whether an attempt by NMBI to increase members’ retention fees from €100 to €150 next year breaches the Haddington Road Agreement.
Note for members
Following today’s protest outside NMBI offices, which was the latest step in our campaign of opposition to their attempt to increase the retention fee by 50% we would like SIPTU members to share the following information with colleagues.
- Over 2,000 nurses and midwives, from all over the country, attended the protest today. For over an hour they collectively indicated their outright opposition to any increase in the retention fee above €100. At the protest a letter, detailing our opposition, was handed to the NMBI President.
- SIPTU would like to thank all members who attended and those who sent messages of support.
- The board of NMBI are meeting again, tomorrow (Wednesday), at which the fee increase is to be discussed in response to the on-going campaign;
- In the interim we, once again, reaffirm our advice, to all members, to cancel their direct debits, to NMBI, immediately if they have not already done so;
- All SIPTU members are also asked to await further advice, from our three unions, as to when to pay the €100 retention fee;
- A further update will issue, in the coming days, detailing all developments in this issue. Keep monitoring www.siptuhealth.ie
Remember follow the campaign. Await further advice.
Pay €100 when advised.