Nursing union opens ballot for industrial action in Northern Ireland
The Health Minister has said he will continue to do everything in his power to deliver the now long overdue pay award
Last updated 14th Oct 2026
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has opened a ballot for industrial action and strike action among nursing staff employed in Northern Ireland.
The union said the move followed the “continued failure to deliver a pay award for staff”.
Stormont ministers have been unable to agree a budget for the current financial year, and unable to sign off on pay awards for public sector workers.
RCN members have until November 20 to return their ballot papers, which includes the option to vote in support of action short of strike and full strike action.
Rita Devlin, executive director of the RCN in Northern Ireland, said: “It is despicable that, year after year, nursing staff in Northern Ireland are forced to fight for a pay award that colleagues elsewhere in the UK receive as a matter of course.
“We were assured that this situation would never happen again.
“Yet here we are, with no pay award and no certainty from those responsible for making decisions that affect the livelihoods of thousands of hardworking nursing staff.
“The question is simple: would governments in England, Scotland or Wales allow their health service staff to go indefinitely without a pay award?
“The answer is no. So why is Northern Ireland expected to accept this?”
Ms Devlin said strike action is “always a last resort”. She added: “Nursing staff do not want to be in this position, but they are being left with little choice.
“Our members now have an opportunity to send a clear and unequivocal message to Stormont.
“Nursing staff have had enough of the delays, the excuses and the broken promises. I urge every eligible member to use their vote and show that we will not stand by while those who keep our health service running are taken for granted.”
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “Health Minister Robbie Butler completely understands the frustration felt by nurses and other HSC staff.
“They have waited too long for clarity on this year’s pay award, and he recognises why nurses are preparing to ballot for industrial action.
“The minister is clear that the 2026/27 award should be implemented and pay parity with colleagues in NHS England restored as soon as possible.
“Every day of delay is risking further deterioration in relations with staff and trade unions and increases the prospect of industrial action during the winter period.
“That would have real consequences for patients, waiting lists and service delivery.
“Minister Butler will continue to do everything in his power to deliver the now long overdue pay award for HSC staff.
“The minister also remains fully committed to introducing the Real Living Wage across HSC. Work on Agenda for Change structural pay reform is continuing with colleagues in England and Wales, alongside the work needed to resolve this year’s award.”
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