Members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) working for Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) backed industrial action in their first ever ballot on pay and retention issues. The society said health and social care staff in Northern Ireland were the lowest paid across the UK and were yet to be offered a pay uplift for 2023/24. Claire Ronald, CSP senior negotiating officer for Northern Ireland, said: “The CSP has never held an industrial action ballot for pay in Northern Ireland and such a decision is always taken with great reluctance. “However, physiotherapy staff in Northern Ireland have now very clearly indicated with their votes that lack of a fair pay deal is impacting on their ability to stay in work and provide care for patients in Northern Ireland. “The cost-of-living crisis is undoubtedly having an impact on our members, and it is critical that recruitment and retention of HSC staff in Northern Ireland is addressed.

Source: The Herald September 12, 2023 18:22 UTC