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Health workers that are members of unions Unite, Unison and NIPSA took to the streets of Newry today in a protest over pay and conditions. Ambulances drove alongside protestors around lunchtime from Daisy Hill Hospital through Sugar Island and Hill Street.
Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham said “Unite’s members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action and rejected the government’s derisory pay offer, which is a real terms pay cut.
“These strikes are being taken as an absolute last resort. Our members are seeing the NHS eroded before their eyes and patients’ lives are being placed at risk due to chronic underfunding.
“In the absence of a functioning Stormont executive, the responsibility for this strike lies squarely with Rishi Sunak who has failed to show leadership and ensure that NHS bosses made a realistic offer to the workers who keep our health and social care services running”.
Anne Speed Head of Bargaining and Representation at UNISON Northern Ireland said there needed to be a joint effort from all political parties. She added "It is an appalling situation when trade unions willing to negotiate have all doors closed to them. It is therefore inevitable that this action today is happening.
Health workers cannot stand idly by or stay silent. And why should they? The Secretary of State is in the USA talking about trade. He has responsibilities here. It is time he included in his priorities addressing the crisis in our health service. Staff recruitment and retention and pay justice are every bit as important as trade."
The unions plan to take further action on 16, 17, 23 and 24 February.
