I write to update you in relation to the ongoing Industrial Action Dispute in Health and ongoing Industrial Action around Pay, Safe Staffing and Travel.
Industrial Action continues in Health as Northern Ireland has no Pay Offer, Mileage negotiations are awaited and Safe Staffing continues to leave members and service users at risk.
In relation to the Offer in England and ongoing Trade Union consultations the response to date is mixed and a Further Staff Council meeting is planned for early May.
NIPSA alongside sister Unions in Health raised concerns with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland around no Pay offer in NI and a need to ensure additional money in regards to funding.
A further meeting with the Secretary of State is planned for May 2023.
With Inflation continuing at over 10% and food prices at a 45-year high NIPSA remains committed to fighting for:
- An inflation busting pay rise for all health service staff.
- Safe Staffing levels in all areas of the health services.
- Appropriate mileage rates.
NIPSA Health continues to work with other Unions around the continued attack on Public Services across Northern Ireland and recognising the planned Strike and Rally for NICS and Teaching Staff on the 26th April NIPSA has also given notice to Health Employers of an escalation in Regards to Action Short of Strike into May 2023.
NIPSA is encouraging all Members to support the Rally, 1pm at Belfast City Hall where possible and alongside this Branches locally may hold Meetings to demonstrate support and discuss the ongoing Industrial Action in Health.
Please check with your local NIPSA Representatives.
NIPSA is also escalating the Dispute in Health with regards to Safe Staffing and has taken steps to put Health Employers on notice while seeking the key statistics to identify NIPSA Members in vulnerable areas for further consultation and ideas for further measures to escalate Industrial Action.
To this end both the NIPSA Social Services Sub-Committee and the Admin Clerical & Others Sub-Committee constituted with local NIPSA Representatives will be seeking to meet to review the Industrial Action Strategy to date and consider further measures for escalation.
To inform this process local Health Branches will arrange local meetings with members to discuss all the potential options and inform the Industrial Action going forwards.
NIPSA Members should also be mindful that we are entering local election time and you will be visited by representatives of the main Political Parties.
I would therefore urge you to challenge these political representatives with questions such as:
Will your Party support the Health Service claim for a Pay rise above inflation?
What is your Party’s plan to seek additional funds for the Health Service to deal with the current crisis, Pay and Safe Staffing?
NIPSA Health Panel commends members who have been engaged in the industrial action to date which has taken us to this important point but would emphasise that the Dispute continues, and Industrial Action Short of Strike continues.
Patient safety remains very important for health staff who will take industrial action. Discussions are ongoing to ensure the employers take the necessary steps to protect patients during the dispute.