Northern Ireland pay talks begin

Trade unions today met with Northern Ireland health minister Robin Swann, Department of Health officials and health employers to start negotiations on outstanding issues of pay, terms and conditions.

Physiotherapy staff on strike at Royal Victoria Hospital
CSP members take action at the Royal Victoria hospital. Photo: Kevin Cooper

The joint health unions, including the CSP, said in a statement: ‘Trade unions conveyed to officials their members’ expectation that pay justice will be achieved. Discussions are at an early stage and all sides will meet again next week.

CSP senior negotiating officer Claire Ronald said: ‘Talks are at an early stage but when we reach a conclusion we will be consulting with our membership working in HSC in NI.’

She thanked CSP members – the lowest paid in Britain - for taking strike action recently.

Without that pressure we do not think we would have an assembly back in place or secured such early talks on restoring pay justice. 

‘As with other parts of the UK we know that many charities and other employers look to the HSC as a benchmark so these negotiations could impact wider than HSC.’

Claire reminded members to make sure their membership details held with the CSP are up to date. 
 

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