Nursing staff in Northern Ireland, Wales and England took to the pickets lines this morning in defence of safe staffing levels and a fair pay settlement. Workers Party members joined them at several locations to demonstrate solidarity and support .

The Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Northern Ireland , Rita Devlin, explained the background to today’s action,

“Nurses in Northern Ireland have today spoken loudly and clearly to tell our politicians that we can no longer tolerate the unacceptable and at times unsafe conditions that nursing staff are putting up with, day in day out. This is not a decision that has been taken lightly but it is clear that our members feel they have no other choice but to take action on behalf of their patients”.

This is only the second time in their history that nurses in Northern Ireland have gone on strike. Today they joined the thousands of workers across the public and the private sectors who have been forced to form picket lines at their places of work in the fight for above inflation wage increases. pension rights, job security, conditions of employment and in defence of safe public services.

No one wants to be on strike, but they have been left with no option other than to engage in industrial action.

There is too much at stake to passively accept the erosion of our public services, The implications for the quality of life for thousands of families, and of future generations, are too far reaching not to exert all the pressure possible in support of working people.

They deserve our full support and solidarity.