UNISON Northern Ireland

UNISON Northern Ireland Health Committee response to the published Pay Review body recommendation

UNISON Northern Ireland Health Committee has recently met in response to the published Pay Review body recommendation for NHS pay.

In line with UNISON members across the UK the committee has decided the uplift falls short of the inflation busting demand from health unions. The failure of Westminster to put additional funding behind this recommendation was also roundly condemned.

While noting Minister Swann's acceptance UNISON members have not endorsed this recommendation.

The absence of an Assembly an Executive and an agreed budget  will make  specific Northern Ireland resolution of our differences extremely difficult.

Or next steps are to talk to our members .We will be launching a pledge drive during the month of September across our members seeking their views and their commitment to participate  in an anticipated UK Autumn industrial action ballot.

Alongside this the committee agreed to launch an intensive focus over MLAs in the coming weeks bringing a strong message that health workers need a pay rise which protects them against inflation. They cannot afford to wait.