The political executive in Northern Ireland and power-sharing have now been restored, and following this there has been a rapidly developing picture on the pay dispute, as meetings have been held between health unions, including the CSP, the department and the new health minister in Northern Ireland.
Early indications from the reformed executive were that an urgent and high priority would be resolution of the pay dispute and wider health service crisis, including the delivery of pay parity with England. This development was both welcome and encouraging, says the CSP.
Pay offer
At a critical meeting on 15 January the Northern Ireland Executive confirmed, in writing, its commitment to restoration of pay parity with England and to measures to address staffing concerns. This commitment is now being developed as a formal written offer that can be put to members for consultation.
The consultation process is likely to begin before the end of the month and we will then be contacting members in health and social care in Northern Ireland with details of the offer as part of this process.
Ballot suspended
In light of this the CSP will be suspending the current industrial action ballot and will notify all members of this directly through email.
Claire Sullivan, the CSP’s director of employment relations and union services, said: ‘It is clear that the current industrial action that has been taken by our health union colleagues and the threat of further additional action from ourselves alongside the Royal College of Midwives and our AHP colleagues, has ensured the lack of pay parity and the health service crisis is finally being recognised as a critical issue that needs to be addressed.
'We welcome the developments over this week.’
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