NIPSA has condemned the latest decision on health service pay, warning that health workers in Northern Ireland are once again being left behind their colleagues across the UK.
From 1 August 2025, health service staff in England and Wales received a 3.6% pay increase, backdated to April. In Scotland, health workers are even further ahead. Yet in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and Permanent Secretary Mike Farrar have stated that there is no money in this year’s budget for a pay rise.
Kevin Kelly, NIPSA Lead Negotiator, said:
“This is unacceptable. Despite repeated assurances from both the Minister of Health and the Stormont Executive, our members are falling further behind. Health workers here are among the worst paid across the public and private sectors. It is a disgrace that the Health Trusts in Northern Ireland are the only public sector employers paying below the Real Living Wage for its lowest-paid workers
Next Steps
NIPSA met last week and unanimously agreed that urgent action is needed.
- NIPSA will join sister unions in seeking a mandate for industrial action
- through a ballot of members.
- The form of action, up to and including strike action, will be determined by NIPSA’s members.
Kevin Kelly added:
“When Government refuses to value Health Service Workers, they fight back. Our members have never been found wanting when it comes to standing up for fairness and dignity at work. If we are forced to strike, we know they will stand together once again.”