First Minister Designate Michelle O’Neill has said it is totally ‘unfair and unjust’ that the pay offer made to NHS workers in England has not been offered to workers in the north.

Michelle O’Neill has written to Rishi Sunak for an urgent meeting to address this issue and ensure our health and social care workers get fair pay and safe working conditions.

Michelle O’Neill said:

“I have requested an urgent meeting with the British Prime Minister on the failure to extend the pay offer made to NHS staff in England to health and social workers in the north.

“In the absence of an Executive, the responsibility for doing this rests with the British Secretary of State through the Department of Health, and he has failed to sort this issue out.   

“I want to express my anger and deep frustration at this approach to our health and social care workers who are burnt out and under huge pressure. This is unfair, unjust and totally unacceptable.

“These are the workers whose dedication and courage we applauded throughout the pandemic and who are now forced to strike in the freezing cold for proper pay and conditions.

“I want to express my support for our health and social care staff, their right to fair pay and to a settlement negotiated and agreed with their unions.

“The difficult situation we are experiencing is being exacerbated by the fact that there is no functioning Executive, no budget and no reasonable excuse for either as the DUP continue their reckless blockade in which workers and families continue to pay the price.”