Kevin McAdam, Unite Regional Officer, Health

Decision a victory for common sense which will provide relief to low paid health care workers

Announcement comes as UNITE and UNISON unions were initiating ballots on industrial action

July 19th: Kevin McAdam, Unite lead officer with responsibility for Health welcomed the announcement by Health Minister Michelle O’Neill that she was instructing her department to abandon plans to transfer weekly-paid health care workers to a monthly pay system:

“Unite welcomes today’s u-turn by Health Minister Michelle O’Neill. Proposals to enforce a move from weekly pay to monthly pay would have left large numbers of healthcare workers facing an unnecessary squeeze.

“This is a victory for common sense and will be a relief for the many low paid health workers who would have put their finances in turmoil by such a transition.

“Today’s announcement comes on the back of the threat of industrial action by members of UNITE and UNISON trade unions. We had informed the Minister that we were initiating a ballot of our members on strike action over this issue. There was very widespread and deep opposition to this move being imposed from above.

“This is a victory for the hard work of reps in both unions who have taken their campaign to oppose this needless change to the streets and to the politicians.

“In welcoming the decision by Minister O’Neill to halt this move, we express the hope that this heralds a different approach to her predecessor, one which holds healthcare staff in high regard”, Mr McAdam concluded.