The CSP is asking members working for Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland whether they wish to move to a formal industrial action ballot over pay.
The Westminster government announced in July it would accept the Pay Review Body (PRB) recommendation in full for NHS staff in England.
The Welsh government followed suit in September, while in Scotland, which is not part of the PRB process, an agreement was reached on NHS pay for 2024/25.
No offer has been made on pay for HSC staff in NI and health minister Mike Nesbitt has said the allocation of money to the Department of Health does not allow him to match pay deals in other parts of the UK.
The CSP and other health unions have been clear that our members expect full pay parity, and we remain in discussion to see how this can be secured.
While discussions are ongoing, the CSP wants to gather members' views to gauge the level of support for possible industrial action.
Claire Ronald, senior negotiating officer for the CSP in Northern Ireland, emphasised the importance of taking part in the survey, which has been emailed to all eligible members. She said:
This vote is not an industrial action ballot, but if we don't get a high level of response then we will not have a clear mandate from members regarding the next steps
‘This will make it difficult to make decisions. We recognise that a decision to support a move towards an industrial action ballot is always difficult.
‘However, we are close to exhausting all other avenues so we must gather your views.
‘In the meantime, we will continue to work with other health unions and put pressure on the executive to find a way forward.’
All members should also update their member profile information, in particular employer and workplace information, and contact details including full postal address.
This is essential if the CSP is to run a legally secure ballot.
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