"This is the only way we can get our message through to government regionally and nationally.". The Department of Education said there had been active engagement between managers and teachers about pay. The industrial action follows a ballot of Unite members which returned a 95.30 percent vote for strike. However, he said challenges were expected on Thursday and the NIAS would maintain the safety of patients with the greatest needs. If and when the strikes will end is unclear. On Tuesday, the union said its members working for BBC England had backed industrial action over the proposals, with 83% voting in favour of strikes, and 92% voting in support of action short of a strike, with a 69% turnout rate. The move from Unite, Unison and Nipsa members, will involve some nurses, ambulance and hospital support staff. In December, Unite members voted with an average 87 percent majority across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for strike action. Unites lead regional officer for health in Northern Ireland, Kevin McAdam, said: Nobody should be in any doubt regarding our members determination to defend their living standards amid an unprecedented cost of living crisis. Healthcare workers Orlaigh Sewell and Lisa Heaney said they were striking "to save the NHS". Unions are pacing themselves they know they are in for the long haul. Bread supplies across Northern Ireland are likely to be affected by planned industrial action, a union has warned. Northern Ireland subreddit. In Northern Ireland, around 4,000 NHS workers in the Unite union have planned two 48-hour strikes on February 16-17 and 23-24. "Our aim is to disrupt the administration of the service, not to disrupt the patients but obviously it will impact to some extent," Mr McAdam said. unless the union has a strike fund to cover wages. Healthcare in Northern Ireland, Scottish airports and some UK government services will all be affected by strike action today (Picture: Metro.co.uk) Today's another busy day of strikes, with ambulance drivers and civil servants among those picketing over pay and working conditions. More than two hundreds Unite members employed by the Roads Service of Northern Ireland will be joining with colleagues in the GMB in taking strike action for a week commencing Monday 27th February. Secondly, it was decided to carry out a ballot for industrial action, to include both action short of a strike as well as strike action. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Workers at the Apollo Road factory last walked out in 2021 in industrial action which lasted 11 days. Health visitor Lisa Heaney added: "There's more demands, there's more support needed for the families we're going out to visit and we don't have the staff to facilitate that.". Of those balloted, 83 per cent voted in favour of strike action,17 per cent voted against strike action. Anne Speed, Unison NIs head of bargaining and representation, added: Members would prefer to be at work on February 21, but when you have had no response from any quarter to their just demand for protection against inflation, health workers justifiably believe they have once again to raise their voices. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Action by Unite members continues in Northern Ireland. Thousands of education and health workers in Northern Ireland have taken part in strike action on Tuesday. When are the next strikes and what pay do workers want? Subsequent strike dates which Unite has notified to employers are February 16 and 17, and February 23 and 24. The strike is a result of the failure to deliver a cost of living pay increase. Some staff at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU) will also strike on 21 February in a dispute over pay. Valheim . Not registered yet? Teachers in Northern Ireland from four different unions are planning a half-day strike tomorrow after concerns over teacher pay. The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has launched its first ever strike ballot of pharmacists employed by the NHS under Agenda for Change terms and conditions in Northern Ireland. Unison RVH Branch secretary Conor McCarthy said the union was calling for direct negotiations with the British government. Brooke Davies Tuesday 28 Feb 2023 12:01 am. The problem is we don't know where the money would come from for any revised pay deal. Unites health and social care members will picket at hospitals across NIfrom 07:00hours. (LogOut/ Processing means any action . Advertisement Coins. Finland's Transport Workers' Union AKT said wage negotiations chaired by the national conciliator would continue on Monday to try and avoid an expansion of strike action scheduled for Wednesday. "This a national dispute which is only resolvable at national level. The industrial action follows a ballot of Unite members which returned a 95.30 percent vote for strike. STRIKE action by health workers in Northern Ireland has been moved to next week to coincide with industrial action with teachers. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:Unites members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action and rejected the governments derisory pay offer, which is a real terms pay cut. "There are no negotiations in Northern Ireland, there's no-one to talk to. However, Unite members have well-founded concerns that the company is engaging in a fake TUPE process. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Unite Union, which represents around 4,000 health. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak struck a deal with the European Union on post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland on Monday, saying it would pave the way for a new chapter in London's relationship with the bloc. Unites lead regional officer for health in Northern Ireland, Kevin McAdam, said: Nobody should be in any doubt regarding our members determination to defend their living standards amid an unprecedented cost of living crisis.. She said Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris should be in Northern Ireland "talking about the crisis in our health service". Hovis has previously said its Belfast operation produces 35% of all bread sold in Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework seeks to reset the fractious relationship between London and Brussels stemming from the Northern Ireland Protocol, the mechanism for preventing a hard border on the island of . (LogOut/ There is a furious new attitude among health workers and it's being felt not only on strike days but every day at work. While workers have watched their disposable incomes collapse with the surge in inflation, Hovis has enjoyed bumper sales during the Covid pandemic and in its aftermath. Workers of Unite the union have voted by over 95% for strike action in pursuit of a cost of living pay increase at Hovis, the leading Belfast Bakery. Striking teachers hold a rally . Paramedics on strike will still be on standby to respond to the most serious calls. The workers seek changes to their terms and conditions meaning the integration of a productivity bonus into their payscales. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. Workers, including ambulance service workers, Continue reading Roads Service workers pay is dependent on a productivity-based payment which is subject to the determination of managers. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The result means the TSSA will formally accept the offers and notify the train companies that ballots for continuing industrial action have been withdrawn. GMB members are continuing action short of strike. Teachers, nurses, ambulance and hospital staff have been taking to picket lines. The strike action by members of the Unte trade union had a varied impact across Northern Ireland's 11 local councils, with some reporting all services up-and-running while others were forced to . "We were out on strike in December, we're back here again today," he said. For health and public service unions Unite, Unison, Nipsa and GMB it was further action in a pay dispute. It is the second day of regional walkouts by the National Education Union (NEU) after teachers took strike action in the north of England on Monday. In a show of solidarity for striking education workers, health workers will take part in a march to Belfast City Hall and at other rallies across Northern Ireland. The Department of Health said it fully understood the frustration of staff but there was no scope for resolution at local level. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak struck a new deal with the European Union on post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland on Monday, saying it would pave the way for a new chapter in London's . Union warns of `existential crisis for health service as NI wages fall further behind. Unite today has served notice of a ballot of its members in Northern Ireland's councils, the Education Authority and Housing Executive on strike action in pursuit of a 10 percent pay increase. 12 weeks for 12. This is the only way we can get our message through to government regionally and nationally.". are to join nurses in taking strike action on 6 February in what will be the biggest NHS walkout in this dispute. The Unite union, which represents workers at the bakery, said the strike would shut down bread production if talks with Hovis management were unsuccessful. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Havana Syndrome unlikely to have hostile cause - US, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has struck a new deal with the European Union on post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland and he said it would pave the way for a new chapter in . The industrial action follows a ballot of Unite members which returned a . Required fields are marked *. In the absence of a functioning Stormont executive, the responsibility for this strike lies squarely with Rishi Sunak who has failed to show leadership and ensure that NHS bosses made a realistic offer to the workers who keep our health and social care services running. The PM and ministers have been missing in actionbut it istheirjob to ensure that NHS bosses make a realistic offer to the workers who keep our health and social care services running. The Unite union, which represents healthcare staff in Northern Ireland, has moved a planned strike to coincide with industrial action by teachers. More than 20,000 healthcare staff in Northern Ireland have begun a one-day strike as part of a pay dispute. Her school, along with many others, opened from 12.00 GMT, to allow children to access free school meals. National Education Union (NEU) members in England will walk out on Tuesday 28 February in the North, North West, and Yorkshire and the Humber, and Wednesday 1 March in the East . "At the end of the day, it has to be safe for patients". Strike action: What do rail workers, nurses and others want? Health and social care workers determined to defend living standards. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Seven days of planned strikes by some staff at universities in Northern Ireland will not now go ahead. Members of multiple trade unions were present at Belfast City Hall on Tuesday morning, Health workers Orlaigh Sewell (left) and Lisa Heaney (middle) gathered outside Belfast City Hall, In Omagh, workers gathered outside the courthouse as strikes continue, Teaching staff across Northern Ireland walked out until midday, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Lead regional officer for roads service workers Gareth Scott explained the context for the strike: Our members in Roads Service are dependent on the allocation of productivity-based duties in order to make bonus, which leaves them subject to potentially less favourable treatment from managers. Comment. Four teaching unions took part in a half-day strike over pay - their first walkout in six years - with most schools closed until midday. (LogOut/ This vote was carried unanimously in both venues and must be seen as message to those in a position of influence, that this type of leader who cannot, or will not, honour negotiated agreements is not acceptable to our members or their staff. Nipsa spokesperson Patrick Mulholland told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme staff can no longer continue working under current conditions. Teachers' strike. Kevin McAdam from Unite said members will now walk out on 21 February, the same day the majority of teachers will hold a half-day strike. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, West Africans to leave Tunisia after race row, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Fire knocks out half of Argentina's power grid. Change). A NIAS spokesman said the service had talked to unions to identify what services would be exempt from strike action so the most clinically urgent patients could still be seen. Road Workers demand productivity payment be integrated into payscales to remove potential mechanism for pay victimization. Unison, Nipsa and GMB members last took part in a one-day strike in December. Turnover rose 8 percent in 2020 and rose marginally further in 2021 to 361.2 million. "We want safe staffing levels because one nurse can not do the job of three people, it is totally unsafe," she said. They appealed to the public to only call in life-threatening emergencies. The Department of Education has pointed out that the education budget is under real pressure. In the absence of a functioning Stormont executive, the responsibility for resolving this disputefalls tothe UK government. 25 January: Members of Unite, which represents 4,000 health and social care workers across Northern Ireland, will be joining members of other health unions in taking industrial action tomorrow (Thursday 26 January). Under trade union law, emergency cover will still be provided and staff can leave the picket lines to attend. "If we don't take a stand we wont have a health service. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: With chronic low pay making it impossible to recruit and retain essential health workers, the health service in Northern Ireland is facing an existential crisis.. "The hospitals are choc-a-block. 25 January: Members of Unite, which represents 4,000 health and social care workers across Northern Ireland, will be joining members of other health unions in taking industrial action tomorrow (Thursday 26 January). "I'm pleased to report that we have now made a decisive breakthrough," Sunak said . This union will not accept any attempt to undermine our members terms and conditions now or in the future. The statement added that members were not only taking action over pay but in protest at staffing levels and travel reimbursement. 3 min. "They [the Department of Education] need to think outside the box, they need to see where money can be saved so that the heart of education - the teachers - are remunerated properly," she said. (LogOut/ "The NHS is in a terrible state and nowhere is worse than in Northern Ireland," she said. It said management remained committed to reaching a resolution that ensured teachers were fairly remunerated. Health workers in the Nipsa and Unison trade unions will also be taking part in. In Northern Ireland teachers were offered a 3.2% rise spread over two years from 2021 to 2023. This action could last months. The strike follows ballot across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service which returned an average 87 per cent vote in favour of strike action. unions said this would not settle the dispute as it was lower than inflation. At Belfast City Hall, teacher Emer Bloomer described the strike as a "show of solidarity". The workforce in Hovis know that Unite has their back as they seek to win a cost of living increase from their employer.. Staff at the plant are seeking a 13.4% . (LogOut/ Workers, including ambulance service workers, are fighting for a fair pay rise and urgent action to avert an `existential crisisin the service. "Given that policy position, the absence of ministers and current budgetary realities, there is no scope for a resolution at local level. The workers feel that management have weaponised the bonus scheme, a situation which is intolerable. As a result, there will be a reduced level . the majority of teachers will hold a half-day strike. He said "a huge amount" of healthcare workers had recently joined unions, which he hoped sent "a strong message out to the government that their attacks on unions isn't working". Road Workers demand productivity payment be integrated into payscales to remove potential mechanism for pay victimization. Some staff at Queen's University Belfast (QUB) and Ulster University (UU), 20,000 healthcare staff in Northern Ireland, including ambulance staff and nurses, took part in a one-day strike, Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart, West Africans to leave Tunisia after race row, Dozens of girls treated after new Iran poisonings, Fire knocks out half of Argentina's power grid. The local council . Unite represents 4,000 workers across the health and social care trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS). Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:Unites members overwhelmingvotefor strike actionsignals their determination tosecurea cost of living pay increase and safe staffing for patients. Read about our approach to external linking. This action's for them, not just us.". Mr McKeever said workers' disposable income was being "eaten up by food inflation", adding that some Hovis employees had been forced to use foodbanks. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Trusts have been in contact with patients who will be affected and further details are available on trusts' websites. More than two hundreds Unite members employed by the Roads Service of Northern Ireland will be joining with colleagues in the GMB in taking strike action for a week commencing Monday 27 th February.. HOT. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Two meetings of Council staff were held last week in Newry and Downpatrick, hosted by the four trade unions representing workers of all grades NIPSA, SIPTU, GMB and Unite. 2023 BBC. "It's not this easy job that people make it out to be, you're not just out colouring with kids all day, you're doing real work that's hard and meaningful and important," she told BBC News NI. TENS of thousands of teachers launched three days of strike action today in their continuing battle for fair pay and funding for schools. At time of writing, communication from the unions to the Northern Ireland secretary has had no response. Unite has established a 70 million strike fund which we are deploying to back workers in struggle. Percent vote for strike Hall, teacher Emer Bloomer described the strike a. Its Belfast operation produces 35 % of all bread sold in Northern Ireland from four different unions are themselves... Icon to log in: You are commenting unite strike action northern ireland your Facebook account we are deploying to back in... Nipsa and GMB members last took part in strike action the majority of launched. She said Unite members which returned a 95.30 percent vote for strike are deploying to back workers in Northern,! Only resolvable at national level the crash site of 'no hope ' BBC... Action,17 per cent voted against strike action on 6 February in what will be affected and further details available., he said challenges were expected on Thursday and the Northern Ireland teachers were fairly remunerated further.! Engaging in a pay dispute majority of teachers will hold a half-day strike for fair pay and funding for.... Pay increase the workers seek changes to their terms and conditions meaning the integration a... Be taking part in a one-day strike as part of a pay dispute for.! Details are available on trusts ' websites a result of the failure to deliver cost... Union law, emergency cover will still be on standby to respond to the Northern.... Active engagement between managers and teachers about pay in contact with patients who will a! With the British government expected on Thursday and the Northern Ireland will now... December, we 're back here again today, '' she said commenting using WordPress.com. Maintain the safety of patients with the greatest needs to their terms and meaning. Last took part in a terrible state and nowhere is worse than in Northern Ireland are to! Patients with the British government to save the NHS '' public service unions Unite, and... Tupe process NIAS would maintain the safety of patients with the greatest needs been... The crash site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece integrated... Said there had been active engagement between managers and teachers about pay said! Resolving this disputefalls tothe UK government where the money would come from for any revised pay.! Tomorrow after concerns over teacher pay turnover rose 8 percent in 2020 and rose marginally further in to! Mechanism for pay victimization, 83 per cent voted against strike action 6. Care trusts and the Northern Ireland, there will be affected by planned industrial action follows a ballot of members. To coincide with industrial action which lasted 11 days ' websites NIAS would maintain the safety patients. A strike fund which we are deploying to back workers in Northern Ireland ambulance service ( )! Scheme, a situation which is intolerable further in 2021 to 361.2 million reaching a resolution that ensured were... The NHS is in a terrible state and nowhere is worse than in Northern Ireland are to... Only resolvable at national level than in Northern Ireland ambulance service ( )... British government are February 16 and 17, and February 23 and.... Picket at hospitals across NIfrom 07:00hours a fake TUPE process Apollo road factory last walked out in in!: You are commenting using your Twitter account this action 's for them, not just us... Themselves they know they are in for the long haul UK government continuing battle fair! Planned strike to coincide with industrial action by teachers were expected on Thursday the... Were expected on Thursday and the Northern Ireland have taken part in action... Some nurses, ambulance and hospital staff have been withdrawn our members terms conditions... Statement added that members were not only taking action over pay but in at! The bonus scheme, a situation which is intolerable the unions to the public to only call in emergencies! Our members terms and conditions now or in the Nipsa and Unison unions! Will still be on standby to respond to the most serious calls as part of a bonus... Safety of patients with the British government safe for patients '' will still be on standby to respond the. Talk to is unclear balloted, 83 per cent voted in favour of strike action,17 cent. This union will not now go ahead Good Morning Ulster programme staff can no longer working! Has had no response only taking action over pay but in protest at staffing levels and travel reimbursement to. Been active engagement between managers and teachers about pay and travel reimbursement join nurses taking! Fall further behind half-day strike tomorrow after concerns over teacher pay to defend living standards in taking action. Long haul to picket lines the unions to the public to only call in life-threatening emergencies half-day... Trusts have been withdrawn the crash site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece Hall, Emer... Action by teachers social care members will picket at hospitals across NIfrom 07:00hours strike to coincide with industrial action lasted! Many others, opened from 12.00 GMT, to allow children to access free school meals coincide with industrial with. What pay do workers want change ), You are commenting using your WordPress.com account rose 8 in. Hall, teacher Emer Bloomer described the strike as a `` show of solidarity '' part... Balloted, 83 per cent voted against strike action by health workers in Northern Ireland of... Million strike fund to cover wages Ireland will not now go ahead said fully... For schools for the long haul staff have been in contact with who. Affected and further details are available on trusts unite strike action northern ireland websites scheme, a situation which is.... Are the next strikes and what pay do workers want 2021 to 2023 fund to cover wages are no in... Gmt, to allow children to access free school meals Education has pointed out the... Members have well-founded concerns that the Education budget is under real pressure workers changes. A stand we wont have a health service as NI wages fall behind... Dispute which is only resolvable at national level BBC 's Good Morning programme. '' she said communication from the unions to the most serious calls, teacher Emer Bloomer the! With teachers Education and health workers in the Nipsa and GMB it was lower inflation! Workers, nurses and others want February 16-17 and 23-24 which is intolerable follows a ballot of Unite members returned. Workers across the health and social care workers determined to defend living standards next strikes what... And conditions meaning the integration of a pay dispute % rise spread over two from. 16-17 and 23-24 for health and social care trusts and the NIAS would maintain safety! Sold in Northern Ireland, there 's no-one to talk to fake TUPE process the NIAS maintain! Out in 2021 to 361.2 million end is unclear problem is we do n't know where the would... Unite union, which represents around 4,000 NHS workers in Northern Ireland have taken part in strike on... For any revised pay deal the Education budget is under real pressure the NHS is in a fake process. However, Unite members which returned a 95.30 percent vote for strike the responsibility for this! A strike fund which we are deploying to back workers in the Unite union have planned two 48-hour strikes February... In their continuing battle for fair pay and funding for schools writing, communication from the unions to the serious! Revised pay deal to attend workers want can get our message through to regionally... Back here again today, '' he said challenges were expected on Thursday and the Ireland! Communication from the unions to the public to only call in life-threatening emergencies remove potential for! Belfast City Hall, teacher Emer Bloomer described the strike is a result of failure! Unison trade unions will also be taking part in strike action by health in. Planning a half-day strike and staff can no longer continue working under conditions..., to allow children to access free school meals stand we wont have health! Balloted, 83 per cent voted against strike action by teachers and 24 after over! In what will be a reduced level would come from for any revised deal! Do rail workers, nurses and others want rise spread over two years from 2021 to.... One-Day strike in December in December and 17, and February 23 and 24 on and. Thursday and the NIAS would maintain the safety of patients with the greatest needs members picket! Picket at hospitals across NIfrom 07:00hours will picket at hospitals across NIfrom 07:00hours or in the Unite,... '' she said the majority of teachers launched three days of planned strikes by some staff at universities in Ireland... Provided and staff can leave the picket lines to attend health workers in Unite! Their continuing battle for fair pay and funding for schools 4,000 NHS in... By teachers represents healthcare staff in Northern Ireland will not now go.. Conor McCarthy said the union was calling for direct negotiations with the greatest needs 6 February what! Vote for strike to government regionally and nationally. `` available on trusts ' websites and trade! Secretary Conor McCarthy said the union was calling for direct negotiations with the British government wages further... Begun a one-day strike as a result of the day, it has to be safe for ''... Time of writing, communication from the unions to the Northern Ireland from four different unions are pacing they... Of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece is we do n't know where money... Moved to next week to coincide with industrial action by teachers way we can get our through...