NIPSA, the largest trade union in Northern Ireland, has issued notice to the Belfast Health Trust that strike action will commence on May 8 and continue until May 10.
This action is being taken in Family and Childcare (social services). The strike action will run in parallel with action short of strike action and will be expanded to other health trusts over the next few weeks.
Approximately 40 NIPSA members will take part in the strike action.
NIPSA Deputy General secretary, Patrick Mulholland, stated,
‘”This escalation to strike action comes after a prolonged period of negotiations that has failed to address the staff shortage our members are experiencing. It is our intention to take all possible steps to ensure children and families are protected and that our members are able to provide the high-level service they are committed to.
The crisis in Family and Childcare has been hidden for far too long. It is time to put the safety of children to the top of the agenda.
If this round of strike action does not resolve the issue, we will seek to expand to other Trusts. Activists in the Northern and Southern Trusts are preparing for action”
NIPSA will engage with employers to ensure appropriate mitigations are in place to protect life and limb.