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Nursing union considers ballot for historic industrial action

NORTHERN Ireland's largest nursing union is considering strike action for the first time in its 99-year history.

The Irish News has learned that following months of speculation, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) will discuss balloting members for industrial action as an "option" in an ongoing dispute over pay.

The RCN, which has 14,000 members in the north, is the only major trade union not to have taken part in walkouts over the past six months.

The strike action is linked to the failure of the Department of Health to grant a recommended one per cent pay rise - equating to around an extra £5 per a week for the average nurse and £6 for a ward Sister.

Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK where a pay settlement has not been agreed for healthcare staff.

Last month Department of Health officials wrote to trade unions seeking meetings to hammer out a deal.

Janice Smyth, pictured, RCN director, said nurses are becoming increasingly demoralised with the inaction of government.

The RCN is currently carrying out a campaign urging their members to record the extra hours they work -and to bill their employer.

"The RCN is concerned and frustrated at the lack of progress as our nurses are the only ones in the UK who do not have a pay settlement," Ms Smyth said.

"We have the same terms and conditions as our UK counterparts but we are totally disadvantaged.

"We will discuss a range of options at our June Board meeting. Balloting for industrial action will be one option as some members feel enough is enough...We will then have to consult with the RCN council in London."

The nursing chief also said there was growing concern at the British

government's proposal to move to a seven-day working week - and axe 'unsocial hours' payments.

"All healthcare professionals with the exception of doctors and dentists have a contractual right to un-social hours extra pay. These are for night shift and weekend work.

"The concern is that the government will find more posts by reducing these payments. We will not accept that."

Last week the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) took to the picket lines - in what was the first strike in the organisation's 134-year history.

Paramedics are currently taking part in a work-to-rule while ambulance staff who are members of the Unite union staged a 24-hour walkout on Wednesday.