Health sector members of Unite in Northern Ireland have announced a 48-hour strike on 21 and 22 September in support of their pay claim.
The union remains concerned that there is no pay rise offer on the table from the Government for its members in Northern Ireland compared to health workers in England, Scotland and Wales who have all received a pay increase. It also highlights unresolved safe staffing issues that add to the uncertainty for health staff in Northern Ireland, particularly at a time when the region has no government.
Public health nurse manager Janet Taylor, from the South Eastern Health and Social Care NHS Trust in Northern Ireland (and CPHVA Executive chair), said: ‘We have had to watch on the sidelines as England, Scotland and Wales were awarded a lump sum of money and a pay rise. We have no option but to strike to demand safer staffing and pay parity for our members.’
Brenda Stevenson, regional officer for Unite, claimed the situation left health workers in Northern Ireland in the same situation as they were in 2019 with no parity with their counterparts in the rest of the UK. ‘We stand in solidarity with our members who are extremely frustrated and find themselves in the unfortunate position of having to be on the picket lines on the 21 and 22 September. This marks the start of ongoing strike action that will continue until the secretary of state comes clean with us and gives us what we deserve,’ she said.
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