Workers in the civil and health services across Northern Ireland took coordinated strike action on Friday 22 September. The massive strike day of thousands of workers included nurses, ambulance crews, civil servants and many more.
The unions involved were the public service unions NIPSA, Unite, Unison, GMB, the Royal College of Midwives, Society of Radiographers, and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Many of those health workers were involved in a 48-hour strike.
Carmel Gates, general secretary of NIPSA, said:
“Despite the fact that it is still unclear if the [Northern Ireland] Assembly will return in the near future, it was felt by all that we have no choice but to take action. It is clear members are angry that additional awards made to workers in Britain have not been made here. Civil servants will be aware that their counterparts in England and Wales have been offered a compensatory payment of £1,500.
“It is entirely within the gift of the Secretary of State to resolve the pay issue for all public sector workers here by making more money available. Our action will be a clear signal to him that we are not prepared to accept the sanctions imposed on us by his punitive budget.”
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) in Northern Ireland at universities and colleges have also taken strike action.
