Friday 11th September 2026 : The Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA) has formally notified the Heath Service Executive (HSE ) that its members will engage in industrial action commencing on Thursday October 1st 2026.
This follows a ballot in favour of industrial action up to and including a full withdrawal of labour with regards to the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 and the lack of any agreed successor to that agreement, which ended on June 30th.
Announcing the commencement of industrial action, PNA General Secretary, Peter Hughes said it is the consensus of the PNA Officer Board, and of the National Executive Committee of the PNA, that the current situation cannot be tolerated and steps must be taken to ensure that this situation does not persist.
“The cost-of-living crisis, not only what has been experienced but the uncertainty into the future is a major factor in this decision and has not been taken lightly. This issue arises during crisis in many areas of the service, including recruitment and retention, the non-employment of new graduates, the non-recognition of a WRC agreement in relation to numbers and the failure to secure the implementation of Recommendations 41–43 of the Expert Review Body on Nursing and Midwifery.”
Mr Hughes said that in line with the Health Service Framework for Dispute Resolution, the PNA has formally notified the HSE that PNA members will begin industrial action from their normal start time on Thursday, 1st October 2026. Initially, this action will take the form of a work-to-rule. However, if no progress is made in resolving this dispute, the PNA will escalate the action up to and including strike action.
Mr Hughes said the PNA is available to meet with HSE to discuss national contingency arrangements and will now establish Industrial Action Committees to meet locally.
Media Contact: Derek Cunningham 0862430535
