Pay reimbursed for health care workers who went on strike

The decision was agreed by the Executive recently and the Minister said: “I have been clear that this matter needed Executive approval and I am pleased that my proposal was approved.

“My first priority on becoming Minister was to resolve the industrial action. That was swiftly achieved. I hope now we can all put that chapter behind us and keep working together on combatting Covid-19 and rebuilding our health service,” he added.

Director of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in Northern Ireland, Pat Cullen, was nominated for a prestigious national award following her efforts, leading Northern Ireland nurses through industrial and strike action last winter. Speaking in September Pat Cullen said: “I would like to pay tribute to all of our members who bravely stood out on picket lines during the cold, wind and rain of the winter in order to speak up for the patients they care for. This was unprecedented action for the RCN anywhere across the UK and signals a turning point that nurses will not tolerate this happening again.”

The First Minister, Arlene Foster said: “We recognise the dedicated and selfless work of our wonderful healthcare staff, nurses and doctors in every health setting at all times, but particularly so in the long hard months of this pandemic.

“It is welcome that concerns over any unintended consequences have now been resolved.”

The deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill said: “I’m pleased that we now have a resolution that will see our nurses and healthcare staff reimbursed for the strike action they took. Our health workers have been on the frontline in responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“They have provided first class care in the most challenging of circumstances, and made huge personal sacrifices to look after our loved ones.”

Sinn Féin MLA Karen Mullan welcomed the reimbursement. She said: “This money should have been paid with urgency following the Executive agreeing to the proposal made in March by Joint Head of Government, Michelle O‘Neill. It is unacceptable that it has taken over six months for this pay to be reimbursed.

“I am sure that healthcare workers will welcome this payment in the mouth of Christmas.

“This payment is not only about ensuring that health workers were not financially penalised for strike action, but also a vindication of their position,” she added.