If all nurses are working the hours you suggest, why did the INMO not raise that in the most recent dispute? Why did they celebrate achieving the 37.5 hour working week? My family members' experience doesn't tally with what you're saying.
A few years ago fulltime nurses had their basic working hours contract reduced from 39 to 37.5 weekly. Austerity after the recession dictated that the hours were to be increased again. Many in the public service had their working times increased without pay. So, it was with the nurses and midwives.
Leo, I take it that you don't believe me regarding what fulltime nurses work when on Night Duty. I worked in the Irish hospital system and know what nurses and other grades work. The 39 hour week for all nurses is a basic number (let's call it a whole time equivalent). It suits hospitals to have nurses work seven nights in a row where they work 84 hours Monday to Sunday. They are off duty the following week where some other nurse will work the seven nights. To comply with the contract the 84 hours is divided into two 39 hour weekly slots with 6 hours owing to the nurse. The nurse gets a premium for working the nights and the Sunday hours i.e. Night Duty Allowance 84 hours and Sunday Duty 12 hours. I even forgot to mention the Saturday Allowance although it's quite small. If any nurse is looking in I bet he/she will say "Hey Lep, you never mentioned the hand-over time, which we work without pay."
For the record:- Nurses who work Night Duty of 84 hours weekly do not get paid overtime for this. They may be called into the hospital after their Night Duty to work extra hours during daytime. The daytime hours may be overtime. A nurse can get called into the hospital on the week off. This will be paid overtime. The nurse has the option of taking time in lieu for the extra hours worked too, but usually they accept the overtime payments due.
Why does this not tally with your family members? - In some hospitals nurses may opt not to work night duty, some opt not to work weekends, some opt to work weekends only. Some opt to work less than the 39 hours Monday to Friday. Others opt not to work Bank Holidays. I'm talking large hospitals here; some private hospitals wouldn't have the need for a large night duty attendance. Some hospitals reduce staff numbers at weekends. Have a look at the ads from hospitals which require additional staff; you'll see "work hours to suit you" - that's how desperate hospitals are to recruit qualified nurses.
Leo, do me a favour an show this post to your family members and see if they agree or disagree with it. If they disagree feel free to inform me. However, I am confident that they will endorse my post.