Today (26th November) UNISON members across the entire health and social services system will continue industrial action in the fight for pay justice and safe staffing levels.
With the UCU higher education trikes starting today, UNISON NI is sending the UCU members on strike our strongest support and solidarity.
UNISON members, alongside UCU members, have experienced the effects of real-term loss in wages and what it means for our standards of living. UNISON members, alongside UCU members, have experienced rising workloads and increased stress. UNISON members, alongside UCU members, are aware of the impact of the gender pay gap, the ethnic pay gap, and the insecurity of being employed by contractors or on precarious contracts.
UNISON members in the Health and social services system have voted for industrial action with 92% voting for strike action.
UNISON is the largest union in the health and social services system in Northern Ireland. Its membership covers all health workers with the exception of doctors. Its largest occupational groups are in nursing, social care and support services.
Health Unions in Northern Ireland expressed deep disappointment following the statement from the Department of Health that was read to the Trade Unions today outlining their position on pay.
UNISON notes media coverage in relation to claims made by the Department of Health in a briefing for MLAs that introducing pay parity for health workers in Northern Ireland would add £103 million to the pay bill this year. Responding to these claims, UNISON Head of Bargaining and Representation, Anne Speed said:
“The information that the Department of Health is sending to our political parties on the issue of pay is partial, incomplete and misleading.
Delegates attending the Council of the Isles in London today, held up messages of support for NHS workers in Northern Ireland.
The delegates from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland called for pay parity for NHS workers in Northern Ireland and sent messages of solidarity for the ongoing industrial action ballot.
The ballot closes on Monday 11th November at 10am and workers are urged to post their ballot papers back by Friday 8th November.
