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.

Forming pickets, assembling around Christmas trees in hospital grounds and singing on the picket lines in sub-zero temperatures,  our members are making the point that they don'tjust threaten strike action against an unacceptable pay offer - they take it.

UNISON stands ready to negotiate.  In the absence of a devolved government we wait to see if the Secretary of State cares enough about Northern Ireland health workers and patients to open talks.