Warehouse workers involved in supplying goods to hospitals in the North 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 and 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 (€12.70) 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.”
