Members working in HSC services have until 6 November to return their voting papers by post in the ballot on industrial action up to and including strike action regarding the nurse staffing and pay crisis in Northern Ireland.
Members are being asked to vote on two ballot questions.
Pay for nursing staff within the health service in Northern Ireland continues to fall behind England, Scotland and Wales with the real value of nurses’ pay in Northern Ireland falling by 15% over the last eight years.
Pat Cullen, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland, said: “Members have very clearly told us that enough is enough. No nurse wants to take industrial action or strike action but low staffing levels pose unacceptable risks to patients, nursing staff, and the people of Northern Ireland. We have simply been left with no choice.”
The RCN is also asking the people of Northern Ireland to support nursing staff by signing a petition to demand safe staffing and pay equality.
