The public services union representing healthcare workers in Northern Ireland announced plans to ballot members on potential industrial action following discussions with Health Minister Robbie Butler. Union leadership indicated that negotiations had reached an impasse, with assistant secretary Kevin Kelly characterizing the situation as a “tipping point” for workers in the sector.
The union has outlined several key demands, including immediate implementation of the current year’s pay award, pay reform that brings workers to parity with other UK regions, and extension of the Real Living Wage to the care sector. The Department of Health estimated that implementing the pay award and Real Living Wage expansion would require approximately £280m in funding. Kelly stated that workers have expressed frustration over increasing workloads, insufficient staffing levels, job threats, and service reductions.
According to union communications, healthcare workers continue to await the current pay award, with particular concern among lower-paid staff regarding Real Living Wage implementation. The union has noted persistent grievances about pay reform parity across regions. Kelly emphasized that workers face the prospect of delivering health and social care services while the Executive pursues cuts exceeding 12% over the next three years.
The ballot is scheduled to run from 21 October through next month. The union noted that last year’s pay offer was similarly delayed, with the Department of Health announcing a deal in November to avert threatened industrial action at that time, when £200m was allocated for the pay package. Pay determination for healthcare workers in Northern Ireland operates as a devolved matter. The Department of Health currently reports a deficit ranging between £800m to £1bn, and officials informed Stormont’s health committee this week that financial planning continues based on a multi-year budget paper issued in April, pending Executive budget approval.
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