'Health and social care workers deserve pay increase' - Cllr Maeve O'Neill

Government failure has been blamed for the strike action currently being taken by health and social care workers.

Speaking to Derry Now from this morning's picket line, Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Maeve O'Neill (People Before Profit) said health and social care workers deserve an above inflation pay rise.

Cllr O'Neill added: "It is a failure of government that workers have had to take strike action again for the pay increase they deserve. 

Cllr Maeve O'Neill on the picket line today.

"Health and social care workers gave their all during the pandemic, sacrificing so much for the health of the community. But staff have been rewarded by a further real time pay cut, whilst prices increase, meaning staff are struggling to pay their bills, despite their hard work and dedication. 

"Safe staffing demands have not been addressed and instead we have a further dependency on agency workers, having haemorrhaged staff in the last few years like never before.

"It has been a political choice to underfund the health and social care service, allowing for privatisation of our NHS. Staff are not only striking for pay, but are also fighting for the future of the NHS. People Before Profit fully stand in solidarity with striking workers."