Consultants’ strike suspended after salary offer

Representatives of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Northern Ireland met with the ministry and said there was a “credible” salary offer that they would consider.

As a result, a 24-hour strike by consultants planned for June 26 and 27 has now been suspended.

Dr David Farren, Chair of the BMA Northern Ireland Advisory Committee, said: “We have agreed to suspend our strike action while we discuss the Department’s proposals. Striking is still an option but by suspending the strike action we have taken a significant step and we are confident that we will soon be able to make a credible offer to members.”

92% of participants in the vote on strike action voted in favour of the strike; voter turnout was 69%.

The BMA has said that consultants’ salaries have fallen by “over 30%” since 2008/2009, while consultants in England recently accepted a new salary offer. At the same time, it says consultants in the Republic of Ireland currently earn twice as much as consultants in Northern Ireland.

Ongoing salary negotiations have been taking place between the BMA, which has around 1,200 advisory members, and the Ministry of Health.