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Northern Ireland healthcare workers to ballot for industrial action over pay and conditions
Overview
The public services union Nipsa is balloting healthcare members in Northern Ireland for industrial action following a meeting with Health Minister Robbie Butler. The union is demanding the immediate implementation of this year's pay award, pay reform parity with other UK regions, and the extension of the Real Living Wage to the care sector. The Department of Health stated that implementing the pay award and Real Living Wage would cost approximately £280m, amid a projected budget deficit of £800m to £1bn.
Key points
- Nipsa is holding a ballot for industrial action among healthcare members, running from 21 October and closing the following month.
- Union leaders stated that healthcare workers have reached a tipping point over pay, increasing workloads, and unsafe staffing levels.
- Demands include immediate implementation of the pay award, pay reform parity, and the Real Living Wage for care workers.
- The Department of Health estimates that implementing the 2026-27 pay award and Real Living Wage would cost about £280m.
- Health officials report facing a deficit between £800m and £1bn while operating without an agreed Northern Ireland Executive budget.