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NEWSFLASH NO. 25
06 February 2015
CAMPAIGN OF OPPOSITION TO NMBI FEE INCREASE
UNIONS INSIST ON RESTORATION OF €100 FEE AT MEETING WITH NMBI
Dear Colleague
As you will be aware, from our recent updates, our three unions met, yesterday (Thursday, 5 th February 2015), with the President and senior staff of the NMBI.
This meeting was convened following correspondence, from the Minister, asking that the NMBI would re-engage with the staff representative bodies arising from the Board's attempts to increase the retention fee by 50% to €150.
A brief summary of this meeting is as follows:
1. Our three unions, absolutely and repeatedly, reaffirmed our view that the retention fee, levied by NMBI, must be maintained at the current €100 rate.
• We reiterated our consistent stance, on this position, as nurses and midwives must be treated equitably in line with all other health professionals who currently pay €100.
2. The NMBI, after discussions and a recess, sought agreement that further discussions would be initiated with the help of an agreed third party.
3. In response the three unions reaffirmed that any such process could only be in the context of the NMBI rescinding its decision to increase the retention fee and leaving it at the current €100.
4. The NMBI team, noting our absolute position with regard to the €100 fee being restored, said that it would be taking the outcome of the meeting, and specifically our position with regard to a €100 retention fee, back to the Board at a meeting scheduled for next Monday, 9 th February 2015.
• The Board's negotiating team indicated that they would revert back to the unions on Tuesday, 10 th February 2015, to provide us with the Board's decision on this matter.
In the interim we stress that the campaign continues, grows ever stronger and members should pay the €100 fee when their personal circumstance allows. Please note a record should be kept, of any payment, and your PIN number should be submitted with the €100 payment.
Finally we wish to thank members for the many messages of support, and solidarity, received in recent days. As all members will see, from the report above, our collective solidarity on this remains and our insistence on a €100 fee continues.
A further update will issue once we receive a response, from the Board, following its special meeting next Monday.
STAY UNITED
PAY €100
WATCH FOR AN UPDATE ON TUESDAY.
