STRIKING HEALTH WORKERS TAKE TO STREETS - TUESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY 2023
As the NHS dispute over pay and staffing widens across most parts of England in a significant escalation there will be a third day of strike action in Northern Ireland.
Thousands of UNISON members in the six Health Trust arm’s length bodies will withdraw their labour. This includes staff in the Ambulance service where UNISON represents more than 850 workers. Arrangements to provide emergency cover are under discussion.
"While the political stalemate continues health staff and patients are paying a price " said Anne Speed, Head of Bargaining and Representation as she met with UNISON representatives from the NI Health service.
"The inertia from the Secretary of State speaks volumes. Taking direction from Westminster who appear also to be doing nothing is just not good enough”.
We have already publicly called on our political parties to roll up their sleeves and act together in the interests of our health service. Have they delivered a message to Rishi Sunak and Chris Heaton-Harris that a decision to negotiate with health trade unions and a release of funding for the health service can pave the way to resolving the dispute in Northern Ireland.
Health workers and patients should not be held hostage to the political fortunes of others."
On Tuesday morning at 9.30 am striking UNISON members in Belfast will march - joined by UNISON General Secretary Christina McAnea -from their picket lines at the Royal Victoria Hospital, the City Hospital, Greenpark, Trust community sites in North and West and South and East Belfast and the Mater Hospital to City Hall where they will join the teaching unions in a solidarity rally at Belfast City Hall.