In an initial member consultation which closed on Tuesday 16 May 2023, SoR members working in health and social care in Northern Ireland responded with over 91% saying they want to be formally balloted for strike action.
Radiographers are critical to the patient journey through healthcare services, and 95% of patients who access healthcare services will see a radiographer. Patients cannot be diagnosed or access cancer treatment without a radiographer, meaning trike action will result in massive disruption throughout the system.
Cora Regan, National Officer for Northern Ireland, alongside trade union colleagues, met with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton Harris on Thursday 25 May 2023.
Still no pay offer
Cora said: “Patients in Northern Ireland are already suffering the longest waiting lists in the UK, in part because of the workforce crisis in health and social care. The delay of a pay award and risk we fall further behind pay rates in Scotland, the Republic, as well as England, must be addressed.
"Whilst we welcome the willingness of the Secretary of State to meet and discuss the impact of his recent budget, there is still no pay offer for healthcare staff in NI on the table.
"Our members have spoken, and it is quite clear that they will not accept loss of pay parity for Northern Ireland. The lack of any offer for staff here does nothing to deal with the increasing pressure of the cost-of-living crisis they are currently experiencing and will further exacerbate the ongoing radiography recruitment and retention crisis.
"We need our devolved assembly up and running, and we need our locally elected ministers to open negotiations and put an offer on the table to avoid strike action.”
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