Industrial Action Update
Colleagues:
The Unison press release below explains the current political situation:
UNISON PRESS RELEASE
Friday 28th April 2023
HEALTH WORKERS IN NI DEMANDING PAY JUSTICE WILL PUSH BACK
In response to the budget for Northern Ireland announcement, UNISON has warned that health workers will not be used as political leverage in the ongoing efforts to restore the Assembly and Executive.
“It is unconscionable that health staff in need of pay justice and protection against inflation can be used in this way”, declared Anne Speed, UNISON Head of Bargaining and Representation in Northern Ireland.
“It has been said that this is not a punishment budget, but the fact is if Barnett consequentials are withheld in the coming weeks and months punishment is exactly what it will be. While we await the final results of ballots in England, which will either endorse the existing NHS pay offer or point to a continuation of that battle, our members will be fully involved in efforts to resolve this dispute.
“Either way there is trouble ahead. This is the time when political leadership from those with a mandate is needed. Do they really want Northern Ireland to be cast not only as a political failure but as an economic one too?
Our full team of health reps will meet on May 10th to take stock of developments and prepare our messages along with other health trade unions for the Secretary of State whom we will meet on May 17th.
In the meantime, our members ‘ ongoing industrial action and action short of a strike, is having a significant effect across the whole health service.”
ASOS Update – May 2023
Unison members began a further period of industrial action short of strike action (ASOS) starting at 00:01 on Saturday 1st April 2023 and running until 23:59 on Sunday 30th April 2023, with a further continuance of ASOS running from 00:01 on 1st May 2023 and running until 23:59 on Wednesday 31st May 2023.
Action short of a strike (ASOS): 1st – 31st May 2023
- Refusing to have breaks interrupted.
Derogations – A&E operational members will request to have their meal breaks at their base station, within the agreed meal break windows. These breaks should only be disturbed for Category 1 immediately life-threatening calls. All members who are on unpaid meal breaks should have their meal breaks at their base station/location, within the meal break period. These breaks should not be disturbed.
- Working strictly to health & safety protocols.
Derogations – None
- Withdrawal from all union/management/Department of Health engagement except regional meetings on dispute resolution.
Derogations – None
- Strict adherence to start times.
Derogations – None.
Members should not start or book on early to answer calls, complete vehicle checks / VDIs etc. These should be commenced at the shift start time. Station-based relief members should start and finish at their base station. At the commencement of their shift, before onward travel to stations which are not their base station, but where they have been assigned duties, except when doing so would incur additional travel or expense. Relief staff will not use their own private vehicles to travel to any locations other than their base station.
Local Unison Shop Stewards and H&S Reps should be contacted if further information is required. NIAS has been given due notice of this action short of a strike, as per legislative requirements. RMC / line managers will be contacting Relief Staff to ascertain if they will be taking industrial action.
End of communique
