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HEALTH WORKERS ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND ARE STEPPING OUT AND STANDING UP

In the absence of talks health workers across Northern Ireland are stepping out and standing up. Today thousands of health staff will withdraw from their workplaces in pursuit of pay justice.

Anne Speed Head of Bargaining and Representation at UNISON Northern Ireland said

"It is an appalling situation when trade unions willing to negotiate have all doors closed to them. It is therefore inevitable that this action today is happening.

Health workers cannot stand idly by or stay silent. And why should they?

UK government Minsters have got to drop their resistance to engagement with health trade unions on pay

UK government Minsters have got to drop their resistance to engagement with health trade unions on pay, and the Northern Ireland Secretary of state should include in his proposed budget provision for retrospective adjustment on the 2022 below inflation PRB recommendation.

This is the message that health members of UNISON will be delivering when they start a 24 hour walkout on Thursday January 26^th.

Following a meeting of all UNISON senior lay reps across all Health Trusts

Anne Speed Head of Bargaining at UNISON said|

UNISON WELCOMES THE DECISION OF THE EDUCATION AUTHORITY BOARD TO REJECT DEMANDS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CUT £110 MILLION OF FUNDING.

UNISON on behalf of thousands of our members in non-teaching staff within Education, welcomes the decision of the Education Authority Board to reject demands by the Department of Education to starve the Education Sector of £110million of funding.

COST OF FUEL CRISIS FOR DOMICILIARY AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS

UNISON members working in the statutory domiciliary care service are calling for improved mileage subsidies which meet their unique needs in Northern Ireland.

The impact of the increased cost of fuel along with the cost of living crisis continues to have a significant impact on Social Care workers across the region leaving UNISON members feeling undervalued, unsupported and underpaid.

Education Trade Unions will campaign against cuts to Education services

The Education Trade Union Group (ETUG) which represents Teacher and Support Unions* within the Northern Ireland Education Sector met today. In response to the announcement today from the Education Authority of severe budgetary cuts, the ETUG issued this statement:

Health Trade Unions in Northern Ireland seek meeting with Secretary of State Chris Heaton- Harris

Regional Health Trade Union leaders have written to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland seeking a direct meeting with him.

They said "As the talks commenced yesterday with political parties and business leaders, it is essential that engagement also includes Trade Unions." Anne Speed lead negotiator said " The Secretary of State for Health in England has met with Trade Unions. Today the Health Minister for Wales will meet with Trade Unions. The Scottish Government has directly negotiated with Trade Unions. No one is talking to us.

Ongoing disputes make it impossible to submit evidence to NHS pay review body, say health unions

Health unions won’t be submitting joint evidence to the NHS pay review body for the next wage round while the current industrial disputes remain unresolved, it has been announced today (Wednesday).

Instead, the 14 unions – representing more than one million ambulance staff, nurses, porters, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists and other NHS workers in England – have called for direct pay talks with ministers.

UK GOVERNMENT ATTACK ON RIGHT TO STRIKE IS A CYNICAL ATTEMPT TO DIVERT PUBLIC ATTENTION FROM ITS OWN FAILURES

Instead of trying to move public attention away from its own failures by attacking workers' rights, the UK Government should better spend parliamentary time bringing forward comprehensive and enforceable legislation to fully enshrine the human right to health.

UNISON RESPONDS TO STATEMENT FROM HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE CHIEF EXECUTIVES

UNISON notes the statement issued to the media by the Health and Social Care Trust Chief Executives today in relation to the industrial action by UNISON members.

The recognition of the Trust Chief Executives of the sacrifices made by staff during the pandemic is important. We acknowledge that the Trust Chief Executives have stated their desire to see all staff properly rewarded for their work and that they recognise the impact that the cost of living crisis is having.

UNISON NURSES, AMBULANCE STAFF AND THE WHOLE HEALTH TEAM ON STRIKE

STATEMENT FROM PATRICIA McKEOWN, REGIONAL SECRETARY UNISON

Courageous UNISON members from across the entire health and social services family have been walking out on strike across Northern Ireland since shortly after midnight.

Footage from the UNISON teams on duty at our hospitals covers nurses, ambulance staff, and health workers from all disciplines determined to highlight the plight they face. They are being joined by members in other health settings and in the community as the day progresses.