Union representative refuses to rule out further strike action

DESPITE promises from the new Health Minister that pay parity for medical staff will be a top departmental priority, a local trade unionist and mental health worker has said “it is not time to pop the champagne just yet”.

Omagh branch chairman for Unison, Andy McKane has welcomed the restoration of power-sharing, but, despite the positive progress made over the last week, said unions representing public sector workers are continuing to take a “measured approach”.

“It is great to see an Executive and Assembly back up and running again and we welcome the appointment of a Health Minister,” said Mr McKane, who was one of the chief speakers at a rally in Omagh a few weeks ago during one of the largest public sector strikes in the North’s history.

Over the weekend, Robin Swann, whose recent reappointment as Health Minister will seen him serve a second stint in the role, wrote to trade unions inviting them to enter negotiations around fair
pay.

Keen to resolve on-going industrial action, Minister Swann said, “That is my immediate priority and I want to see pay negotiations being initiated without delay, consequently I have written to the trade unions inviting them to early discussion.

“Staff are the bedrock of the health service and they are entitled to proper remuneration for the vital work they do.”

However, while Mr McKane acknowledged that unions representing healthcare staff enjoyed a good working relationship with the Ulster Unionist Party MLA during his last period in the ministerial post, he noted that he and his colleagues do not anticipate a fast and easy resolution.

“The battle has not been won, it has only changed direction,” reflected Mr McKane.

“We expect to sit down with the Department of Health this week, but it is far too early for us to call off our ongoing industrial action. Action short of strike will go ahead, and we will monitor any progress very closely.”

Concluding, Mr McKane sent one final message to all those who took part the mass public sector strike on 18 January, when 16 trade unions and tens of thousands of workers took to the streets. “Without doing what we did that day, I don’t know if the MLAs would be back to work. I think we played a big part in that, and that is something everybody who took part should be very proud of. That is the strength of people power. We used it to get Stormont back up and running, now let’s use it to get the fair wage we deserve.”