Health workers in Northern Ireland could be asked to vote on industrial action shortly, UNISON Northern Ireland secretary Patricia McKeown warned today.
In a statement this lunchtime, Ms McKeown said: “As the NHS strike in England comes to an end, UNISON – the largest trade union in the health service in Northern Ireland – has declared that it is likely to follow the many thousands of UNISON members taking action in England.
“UNISON will today lobby Stormont, pressing our elected politicians to take a different approach from government in England.
“We have not yet balloted for strike action because we have been acting in good faith and believe that the pay increase is already in the health budget.
“However, following a meeting with the permanent secretary on Friday evening, he would not confirm that this was so.
“In 2011, UNISON members in Northern Ireland brought our health service down to emergency services only when we took strike action in protest over cuts to services.
“Whether we do this again is entirely in the hands of the health minister and the executive.
“We cannot contemplate a fifth year of pay freezes for our members, who include some of the lowest-paid workers in the public service.
“They have persevered through four years of shocking cutbacks and still maintain a service 365 days a year.
“They deserve justice,” said Ms McKown: “We intend to see that they get it.”
