The RCN and other health trade unions met the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris on Thursday 5 April to seek urgent clarification on issues including a pay award for health care staff in Northern Ireland. The RCN was represented by Associate Director, Dolores McCormick.
Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Rita Devlin, Director of the RCN in Northern Ireland said: “The RCN and other health trade unions had an open and honest discussion with the Secretary of State to raise a variety of issues which require urgent clarification, including a pay award for nursing staff in Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State set out a series of actions he is undertaking in relation to the establishment of a budget and advised us that he would seek clarification on our concerns.
“Following what we view as a constructive meeting, we will await the outcome of these requests and a further face to face meeting with trade unions and the Secretary of State will then take place. Taking into consideration the complex political situation we are facing, we will make further decisions, and have full discussions with our members, when we receive the detailed information we have requested.”
