Public sector strikes in Northern Ireland

The situation for public sector workers in Northern Ireland continues to be dire, with health and social care staff, who are now the lowest paid across the UK, not receiving a pay award at all this year and civil servants receiving a lump sum of £552, worth just 2.1% or less.

Both sets of workers took strike action last month, demanding better deals from the UK government. Unions taking part are NIPSA, UNISON, GMB, RCM, Unite, the Society of Radiographers, and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. The industrial action will involve walkouts from paramedics, pharmacists, health visitors and community practitioners as well as civil servants.

The £552 awarded to the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) equated to 2.1% for admin officers and 0.9% for grade 7 staff, with no cost of living payment. NICS’ pay is usually set by the Northern Ireland Executive, but without a functioning executive there, the secretary of state for Northern Ireland is responsible. So far, he has inflicted budget cuts across the public sector.