Health service warehouse workers begin strike action
The warehouses provide essential services to hospital and communities
Warehouse workers involved in supplying goods to Northern Irish hospitals are to go on strike in one of the busiest weeks of the year for the health service.
Fifty Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (Nipsa) workers in the health social care business services organisation (BSO) stores in Belfast and Lisburn will begin a week-long strike on Monday.
Nipsa said BSO warehouses provide essential services to hospital and communities including the provision of equipment to allow the release of patients from hospital beds and into the community, food for hospital and community meals, clinical equipment, admin supplies and housekeeping supplies.
Three quarters of the workers engaging in the strike are paid £10.92 or below per hour.
Nipsa deputy general secretary Patrick Mulholland said, "These workers have had enough. We recognise that this action will be extremely disruptive but it is absolutely essential that we take a stand. "
"There is a real and growing concern that health service pay and staffing has been pushed down the political agenda."
"Our members are determined to send a clear message that we will not accept becoming a causality in the NI political talks. The Secretary of State must commit to funding an immediate inflation busting pay rise for all health workers."
"This strike is only the beginning for our members. In other areas, preparations for extended strike action are under way."
A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Office said it is for the relevant department to make final decisions on pay policies.
A statement said, "The UK Government has no authority to negotiate pay in NI. "
"The Secretary of State has invited representatives from the four parties eligible to form the Northern Ireland Executive to discuss how the Government will work with them to stabilise the finances of a returning Executive."
"These discussions are centred on how the UK Government can help with and support sustainability in Northern Ireland's public finances for when a Northern Ireland Executive is restored."