The NIPSA ballot for industrial action in Health has returned a 92.62% vote for strike action and 97.03% for action short of strike action. The NIPSA Health Panel, which represents all branches in Health & Social Care and Health Arm’s Length Bodies, has therefore authorised industrial action in early December including Strike Action and Action Short of Strike.
NIPSA will also develop a programme of selective groups’ strike action and further action short of strike action.
The programme of action will include Action Short of Strike and Strike in relation to our demands for Fair Pay, Safe Staffing and Fair Travel Rates however we will equally seek co-ordination with other Health Unions taking industrial action at this time to maximize the strength of our campaign.
Further Notice will be posted when these actions are agreed including strike action by all NIPSA members in the health services and in related arm’s length bodies.
Why is this action necessary?
This action is necessary because, years of underfunding and underinvestment in the Health Service compounded by rising inflation and a cost of living crisis have failed to address NIPSA’s claims for Fair Pay, Safe Staffing and Fair Travel Rates.
Alongside this the absence of a functioning Executive or a mechanism to uplift pay for health workers in Northern Ireland is a major concern for all NIPSA Members and as the Largest Trade Union in Northern Ireland we request urgent action to find a way forward.
Coordination
In Line with National Trade Union Sides call for an Inflation busting Pay rise NIPSA and Unison have agreed in principle to co-ordinate where possible Industrial Action in regards to December/January while other Unions continue to consult their members.
Where possible and going forward, further coordination will be sought.
Exemptions
Where employers identify real emergency situations, they will be encouraged to contact Local NIPSA Branch Officers for discussion and appropriate arrangements will be put in place. In any incident where strikers carry out agreed emergency cover, NIPSA will view them as acting on behalf of the striking workforce and will expect them to relinquish their wages for the period of the cover.
Picket Duty
All members are asked to participate in the picket rota. The stronger the action is the less time it will last. Details of all picket lines will follow.
Call for Action
NIPSA calls on its member’s and all those with influence to act now.
As Deputy General Secretary Padraig Mullholland states “The Industrial Action in December will be hard hitting but our members have no choice but to defend our National Health Service, for too long members have held together a system that is in crisis so that our communities get a decent service.”
Assistant Secretary Terry Thomas stated “Members have had their say on Fair Pay, Safe staffing and Fair Travel Rates with a resounding Ballot result, our members have had enough and have made it clear that action is now necessary to redress the balance caused by years of underfunding and under inflation Pay cuts.”
Members have spoken, your voices must be heard, support the action and Keep in Touch via your local NIPSA Branch Representatives and here on the website.