Physios in Northern Ireland to vote on strike action

This is the first time the CSP has held an industrial action ballot for pay in Northern Ireland. The ballot will be open from 7 August and close on 11 September. 

Health and social care staff in Northern Ireland remain the lowest paid across the UK. They are yet to be offered a pay uplift for 2023/24 and have received no additional pay award for 2022/23. 

CSP Council is recommending members Vote Yes in support of strike action and to an additional question, which would give physiotherapy staff a mandate to undertake industrial action short of a strike.   

Ninety-three per cent of participants who took part in a consultation in June said they were prepared to take industrial action. 

Claire Ronald, CSP senior negotiating officer for Northern Ireland said: ‘Physiotherapy staff in Northern Ireland have clearly indicated that lack of a fair pay deal is impacting on their ability to stay in work and provide care for patients. 

'Considering industrial action is always a last resort for HSC staff who are dedicated to their patients, their colleagues, and the services they provide but the situation in Northern Ireland cannot continue. 

'Pay has been addressed in England, Scotland and Wales leaving Northern Ireland as an outlier. The lack of a functioning executive makes the situation extremely difficult, but we must find a way to address this. 

'The cost of living crisis is undoubtedly having an impact on our members, and it is also critical that recruitment and retention of HSC staff in Northern Ireland.'

The CSP will continue to work closely with other health unions as it takes this dispute forward.