RCN Northern Ireland opens strike ballot over absence of pay award

RCN Northern Ireland has today opened a ballot for industrial action and strike action among nursing staff employed in Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland, following the continued failure to deliver a pay award for staff on Agenda for Change terms and conditions.

Eligible RCN members now have until Friday 20 November 2026 to return their ballot papers to Civica Election Services. Members are being urged to vote in support of both action short of strike and full strike action.

The ballot follows months of uncertainty over pay. Earlier this year, the NHS Pay Review Body recommended a 3.3% pay increase for staff across all pay bands. While health care workers in England and Wales have already received the award, nursing staff in Northern Ireland are still waiting for confirmation of when, or if, the award will be implemented.

Despite previous commitments from former Health Minister Mike Nesbitt to implement the pay award, ongoing political deadlock over Northern Ireland’s budget has left thousands of nursing staff without the increase recommended for 2026/27.

Professor Rita Devlin, Executive Director of RCN 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?

“Strike action is always a last resort. Nursing staff do not want to be in this position, but they are being left with little choice. Meanwhile, elected representatives have not had to fight for their own pay to be implemented.

“With the cost of living continuing to rise, every day without a pay award is increasing financial pressure on nursing staff and their families. It sends a damaging message that the dedication, skill and commitment of nursing staff are simply not valued.

“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.”

Ballot papers are being issued to eligible members from today. The ballot closes at 12 noon on Friday 20 November 2026, with the result expected shortly afterwards.

Members who have not received a ballot paper are encouraged to contact the RCN to check their membership details and eligibility to vote. You can find out more here.