CSP members strike over pay in Northern Ireland

CSP members are walking out at all seven employers in Northern Ireland today, from 8.30-12.30pm.

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.   

In the ballot which ran from 7 August - 11 September,  88 per cent of members voted yes to strike action on a turnout of 55 per cent. 

Claire Ronald, CSP senior negotiating officer for Northern Ireland, said: 

‘No physiotherapist or support worker in Northern Ireland wants to strike but they have been put in a position where they feel they have no other choice or way to raise their concerns. 

‘A lack of a fair pay deal means our members in Northern Ireland are struggling to stay in work and provide care for patients. Having received no increased pay deal for 2022/23 nor a pay uplift for 2023/24, physio staff and other NHS workers continue to be the worst-paid in the UK. 

‘This situation is further entrenched by inflation and cost-of-living crisis which means many of our members simply can’t afford to stay in their roles. 

We desperately need politicians to resolve their differences to reform the assembly because this current situation cannot go on. Our members need a negotiated settlement now

‘The CSP is also calling on the secretary of state to secure any Barnet funding from the English pay award and ring fence it for HSC staff.’ 

Stephanie Heasley, regional CSP rep, Northern Ireland said:

‘As a profession, we need to let the Government know that years of real-term pay cuts are not acceptable.   

‘The current cost of inflation, increase in utility bills, food bills and increasing energy costs with no change in pay is causing irreversible damage. We have more staff in debt management programmes, using food banks and working additional employment to balance the books.   

‘The knock-on effect is an increase in burn-out and stress amongst staff, increase in sickness absence levels and poor retention of staff.  

Patient safety is compromised due to the lack of front-line staff and many staff are regularly working unpaid hours due to the increase in workload

All members and supporters can show you stand with Health and Social Care staff and the #CSP4FairPay.   

Show your support online 

• Follow CSP social media in the lead up to and on the day of strike action and share posts with your networks 

• Download our digital strike resources, and use #CSP4FairPay on social media. 

• Send a message of solidarity to striking physiotherapy staff 

Use our picket line map to go along to a picket line and support in person.