This is the first strike in the history of the Royal College of Nursing. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images This is the first strike in the history of the Royal College of Nursing. Image: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images THOUSANDS OF NURSES and healthcare workers are to walk out for 12 hours today in a row over pay, the first strike in the Royal College of Nursing’s 103-year history.
The Northern Ireland Secretary, Julian Smith, believes the action illustrates why it is important that power-sharing is restored. He is leading political talks which he hopes will lead to a restored ministerial Executive early next year.In 2015 former health minister Jim Wells introduced changes which broke the principle of pay parity between Northern Ireland health care workers and England and Wales.
That review called for ring-fenced money to transform how services are delivered as well as a range of other changes.