UNISON’s response to the crisis in health care provision in Northern Ireland has been a rallying cry across the province and the Irish Republic to stand up for Health. With the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, it has called a series of all-Ireland rallies and demonstrations to take place on Saturday 7 November to protest at the £65 million-plus health budget crisis in the North.
This is the culmination of protests, lobbying, action bordering on strike action across Belfast, Mid-Ulster, White Abbey and all other Trusts and Health Boards in Northern Ireland.
For two years Unison has been warning that the budget cuts, the pretence of health care improvements, gibberish about efficiency and ignoring of the real financial crisis would lead to slashing of services, patients suffering and jobs being lost.