Thousands walk out on strike in Northern Ireland bringing public sector to a standstill

Northern Ireland is bracing itself for chaos as tens of thousands of public sector workers walk out on strike in the biggest day of action in the country's history.

Around 170,000 public sector workers are expected to go on strike today - in an row over pay - bringing services across education, health and transport to standstill.

Workers with 15 trade unions will take part in unprecedented industrial action, including teachers, nurses, police staff and civil servants.

Bus and train services will also grind to a halt.

Workers are expected to stage demonstrations and marches through Belfast and Londonderry - with other pickets dotted across Northern Ireland.

It comes at a time when weather warnings are in place for ice and snow - with gritting crews also involved in the strike action.

And due to the combination of industrial action and particularly cold weather, the Department for Infrastructure is advising people only make essential journeys.

In a recent stark statement the chief executives of the five health trusts along with the Ambulance Service boss, warned the disruption would be on a "massive and unprecedented scale", with a best-case scenario resulting in a service similar to that offered on Christmas Day.

Earlier, the Department of Health predicted expected disruption to services would be on a scale never before seen in Northern Ireland,

The Department added that the strike would be taking place at a time when services were already under severe pressure

The statement warned that in addition to delays over and above existing levels, some services may not be available at all.

Indeed, patients needing chemotherapy or dialysis will not be exempt from the action.

Unions said they had no choice but to take such action

Rita Devlin, Director of the Royal College of Nursing, said her members were "beyond frustrated and angry."

“The reality is that no nurse in Northern Ireland wants to take strike action, but we have been left with no other option," she said.

“RCN members in Northern Ireland have been raising concerns about their inability to deliver safe care for years. While 18 January is a significant day, our members are worried every day of the year about the impact of low staffing levels and their ability to give care to patients.

“Nursing staff are apologising every single day to patients about cancelled appointments and delays in treatment. They are beyond frustrated and angry at the current situation and Thursday is their opportunity to have their voices heard loud and clear."

Alan Perry, GMB Senior Organiser, said industrial action was "always a last resort".

“But our members are desperate," he said.

“After years of real terms pay cuts, a global pandemic and now a crushing cost of living crisis they cannot cope any more.

“We know they money is there - the Secretary of State has said so.

“To avoid prolonged mass industrial action, he must put it in the pockets of those who keep this country moving.”

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