‘Walking away in their droves’

Northern Ireland NHS professionals from every healthcare union are to hold a protest at Stormont tomorrow (Wednesday November 4).

The protest has been called over the mounting impact of NHS cuts and the failure of minister Simon Hamilton to deliver a one per cent pay increase.

The increase for 2014/2015 was recommended by the independent pay body and NHS workers in Northern Ireland are the only ones in the UK still waiting for the increase.

Unite regional officer, Kevin McAdam, called on the public to come out and support a protest.

“NHS professionals in Northern Ireland are the only ones in the UK still waiting for the one percent increase recommended by the Independent Pay Body for the 2014/15 tax year,” he said.

“We haven’t even received a response from the minister to the pay claim for the current year,” he added.

The result is that healthcare workers in Northern Ireland have witnessed their incomes decline in real terms by fifteen per cent since 2010.

Can’t afford to work

“There is huge loyalty to the NHS but healthcare professionals are walking away in their droves because they can no longer afford to work for the health service or take the mounting work pressures caused by ever greater cutbacks and recruitment freezes,” said Kevin.

Unite has called the protest at the steps to Stormont at 12.30 pm on Wednesday November 4.

Members will demonstrate their frustration over the NI Executive’s failure to reward hard-working healthcare professionals.

The protest has now been backed by all unions in the healthcare sector and will send out a signal that we stand united in defence of the NHS and against poverty pay.

“Following on from this protest Unite will proceed to a consultative ballot of our members over their willingness to return to strike action on this issue,” said Kevin.

“We have been pushed into this situation by the antics of minister Hamilton. Perhaps since the minister won’t meet us in his office, we might meet him on the picket line,” he added.