The NI Assembly in Stormont has been suspended since February 2022 and Northern Ireland has therefore been without a devolved government for almost two years. This has meant that there have been no decision-makers in post to agree many critical issues for the population, including applying public sector pay increases.
Following a coordinated day of industrial action by 16 trade unions in Northern Ireland in January 2024 and an increase in other pressure being placed on politicians, there are now indications that the stalemate may be overcome. The generalised day of trade union action included the majority, but not all, of the unions that represent NHS staff. Though PDA members had not agreed a strike mandate, the PDA, which is a member of the Northern Irish Congress of Trade Unions (NICTU), supported those who took part in industrial action.
This was an unusual circumstance for industrial action, as traditionally a dispute is between the employer and the employees. However, in this dispute, Health Trust Chief Executives had also called on the government to remedy the outstanding pay situation.
In recent developments, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which had caused the dissolution of the Assembly by resigning over post-Brexit trading arrangements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the Windsor Framework), has stated that they have now reached an agreement with Westminster on the issue. At the time of writing, these full details had not been published, but it is understood that the agreement resolves their concerns.
PDA National Officer of Northern Ireland, Una O’Farrell said, “The absence of government has not just been a barrier to pay increases for our members employed in the NHS, it has impacted the lives of all our members and the wider community in Northern Ireland. The resurrection of Stormont follows united action of the trade union movement and we are looking forward to seeing the outstanding workload of the Assembly, including decisions around public sector pay, actioned as soon as possible.”
The PDA believes that the value of a pharmacist’s role in Northern Ireland and the remuneration provided should be no less than those equivalent NHS colleagues in neighbouring jurisdictions. If, as now seems likely, the devolved government returns and the flow of the funds that Northern Ireland public services need recommence, then the PDA will continue to press for outstanding pay uplifts to be applied as a matter of urgency and look for other advancements in working conditions for members.
The PDA will continue to monitor the situation and work with NICTU colleagues to coordinate action that best serves the interest of pharmacists.
Learn more
- PDA works to help stop delays to pharmacist pay increases in Northern Ireland
- PDA attends the annual Northern Ireland Pharmacy Conference
- PDA begins first-ever strike ballot for members in Northern Ireland
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