Menu
03/12/2019
NI Nurses Begin Industrial Action
Nurses across Northern Ireland have commenced 24 hours of industrial action.
In response to unsafe staffing levels and the pay crisis, members of the Royal College of Nursing will refuse to do any task that isn't directly related to patient care.
The action is the first time in the union's 103-year history that members have voted to take action short of strike, which will be followed by two further days on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December.
The first day of strike action is scheduled for Wednesday 18 December.
Nurses and their union believe the staffing and pay crisis is putting them under intolerable pressure and threatening the quality of patient care.
There are 2,800 vacant nurse posts within the HSC and nurse pay has fallen by 15% in real terms in recent years.
Nurses in Northern Ireland are the lowest paid in the UK.
RCN Northern Ireland Director Pat Cullen said the action is regrettable.
"The last thing that any nurse wants is to have to take industrial action. However, nurses now feel that we have no choice. The RCN has been raising the issues of pay inequality and short staffing for many years, but nobody in the corridors of power has listened.
"Today, our members will be on duty as normal, providing direct patient care, but will work strictly to their contracts of employment. This means starting on time, finishing on time, taking contractual breaks and not performing the non-nursing duties that they should not be performing anyway.
"This is a critical moment for the HSC, and we all wish to see a rapid and effective solution to the crisis that is now unfolding. Our members, the health service workforce, and the people of Northern Ireland deserve so much better."
It comes amid action by Unison members that has seen thousands of inpatient appointments cancelled this week.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair added: "For better or worse, nurses have earned a reputation for resilience and soldiering on. To hear they've reached their limit must make people sit up and take notice.
"The crisis in the health service in Northern Ireland has pushed members to reluctantly take a stand for themselves and their patients. They should take some comfort from knowing that I and every other nurse is standing with them. Every part of the RCN is pulling behind winning this dispute."
Responding to the recent strike action, the Chief Executive of the six Health and Social Care Trusts recognised there is a "significant risk to patient safety".
"We are all aware that HSC in Northern Ireland requires a long-term funding settlement that addresses service, workforce and pay pressures in a sustainable manner," the Chief Executive said. "We have been struggling with a system where funding has been made available on a yearly basis, which makes it impossible to plan for the long term. Demand is increasing and will continue to do so meaning that the current system is simply unsustainable."
The HSC trusts say a resolution is not possible without ministerial intervention and further resources.
NI Secretary Julian Smith said the matter is a devolved one. He commented on Twitter: "V concerned about strikes in NI health service today. In touch with health dept but as a devolved matter we need Stormont back to resolve."
(JG/CM)
In response to unsafe staffing levels and the pay crisis, members of the Royal College of Nursing will refuse to do any task that isn't directly related to patient care.
The action is the first time in the union's 103-year history that members have voted to take action short of strike, which will be followed by two further days on Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December.
The first day of strike action is scheduled for Wednesday 18 December.
Nurses and their union believe the staffing and pay crisis is putting them under intolerable pressure and threatening the quality of patient care.
There are 2,800 vacant nurse posts within the HSC and nurse pay has fallen by 15% in real terms in recent years.
Nurses in Northern Ireland are the lowest paid in the UK.
RCN Northern Ireland Director Pat Cullen said the action is regrettable.
"The last thing that any nurse wants is to have to take industrial action. However, nurses now feel that we have no choice. The RCN has been raising the issues of pay inequality and short staffing for many years, but nobody in the corridors of power has listened.
"Today, our members will be on duty as normal, providing direct patient care, but will work strictly to their contracts of employment. This means starting on time, finishing on time, taking contractual breaks and not performing the non-nursing duties that they should not be performing anyway.
"This is a critical moment for the HSC, and we all wish to see a rapid and effective solution to the crisis that is now unfolding. Our members, the health service workforce, and the people of Northern Ireland deserve so much better."
It comes amid action by Unison members that has seen thousands of inpatient appointments cancelled this week.
RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair added: "For better or worse, nurses have earned a reputation for resilience and soldiering on. To hear they've reached their limit must make people sit up and take notice.
"The crisis in the health service in Northern Ireland has pushed members to reluctantly take a stand for themselves and their patients. They should take some comfort from knowing that I and every other nurse is standing with them. Every part of the RCN is pulling behind winning this dispute."
Responding to the recent strike action, the Chief Executive of the six Health and Social Care Trusts recognised there is a "significant risk to patient safety".
"We are all aware that HSC in Northern Ireland requires a long-term funding settlement that addresses service, workforce and pay pressures in a sustainable manner," the Chief Executive said. "We have been struggling with a system where funding has been made available on a yearly basis, which makes it impossible to plan for the long term. Demand is increasing and will continue to do so meaning that the current system is simply unsustainable."
The HSC trusts say a resolution is not possible without ministerial intervention and further resources.
NI Secretary Julian Smith said the matter is a devolved one. He commented on Twitter: "V concerned about strikes in NI health service today. In touch with health dept but as a devolved matter we need Stormont back to resolve."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
18 December 2019
Thousands Of Nurses Begin Strike Action
Thousand of nurses in Northern Ireland are taking to the picket lines today as their fight for pay parity and safe staffing levels begins. The Royal College of Nursing is taking action for the first time in its 103-year history, along with UNISON, UNITE and NIPSA members. Over 15,000 nurses expected to be on 21 picket lines across the region.
Thousands Of Nurses Begin Strike Action
Thousand of nurses in Northern Ireland are taking to the picket lines today as their fight for pay parity and safe staffing levels begins. The Royal College of Nursing is taking action for the first time in its 103-year history, along with UNISON, UNITE and NIPSA members. Over 15,000 nurses expected to be on 21 picket lines across the region.
19 September 2019
NI Nurses To Be Balloted On Strike Action
Nurses in Northern Ireland are to be balloted on possible strike action over the ongoing pay dispute and staffing crisis. The ballot will begin on 09 October, the first of its kind for the region.
NI Nurses To Be Balloted On Strike Action
Nurses in Northern Ireland are to be balloted on possible strike action over the ongoing pay dispute and staffing crisis. The ballot will begin on 09 October, the first of its kind for the region.
01 August 2002
Overseas nurses recruited to fill NI shortfall
The Royal College of Nursing has said that the shortage of nurses in Northern Ireland hospitals has forced health officials to try to recruit staff from abroad. Latest figures from the College revealed that one in every 16 nurses in the province is from outside the British Isles.
Overseas nurses recruited to fill NI shortfall
The Royal College of Nursing has said that the shortage of nurses in Northern Ireland hospitals has forced health officials to try to recruit staff from abroad. Latest figures from the College revealed that one in every 16 nurses in the province is from outside the British Isles.
08 January 2020
NI Nurses Begin Second Day Of Strike Action
Nurses across Northern Ireland are today joining picket lines for the second time ever as their struggle for pay parity and safe staffing levels continues. It comes after an earlier walkout on 18 December when Health and Social Care (HSC) services took strike action for the first time in the Royal College Of Nursing's (RCN) 103-year history.
NI Nurses Begin Second Day Of Strike Action
Nurses across Northern Ireland are today joining picket lines for the second time ever as their struggle for pay parity and safe staffing levels continues. It comes after an earlier walkout on 18 December when Health and Social Care (HSC) services took strike action for the first time in the Royal College Of Nursing's (RCN) 103-year history.
10 November 2022
Nurses Across The UK To Strike In Pay Dispute
A record number of nursing staff across the UK have voted for strike action, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stating that a majority of its members are prepared to join the picket line this winter.
Nurses Across The UK To Strike In Pay Dispute
A record number of nursing staff across the UK have voted for strike action, with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) stating that a majority of its members are prepared to join the picket line this winter.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
