UNISON ACKNOWLEDGES GESTURE AND STRESSES MORE TO DO

UNISON Northern Ireland welcomes the re-instatement of exemption from car parking charges for health staff.

Acknowledging the Minister’s recognition of the tremendous efforts by staff across the HSC the union’s Head of Bargaining and Representation Anne Speed said

"There can be no doubt that the Minister has listened to representation from health workers and sought support for this action as a good will gesture. The pandemic Covid surge is placing huge strains on staff as they struggle to care for seriously ill patients.  There is a lot more to do in the coming days and weeks if we are to contain and hopefully suppress this surge.

We are currently engaged inside the health system at every level from our front line members, local and regional negotiators, Trusts, Departmental and Ministerial level to install immediate remedial actions to support struggling staff, patients and their worried families.

We have for some time now set our views on the actions that must be prepared now to implement safe staffing, to sustain our care homes and social care staff and to protect the well-being of health care staff.

We will steadfastly continue with these endeavours."