When we were asked to consider strike action in Northern Ireland two years ago, my first thought was how? We knew why we wanted and needed to do it. How we would look after our patients was our main concern.
But I was amazed by how organised the RCN was and how strongly they supported us. They explained derogation to us and how it would work.
As a team we organised who would derogate and who would be on the picket line on which days. When we got pushback from management, the RCN stepped in.
In the end, there wasn’t any alternative. What drove me to vote for strike was the staffing levels. They’d become so challenging, with a lack of skill mix and resources.
On the picket line we got so much support, it was humbling
There were lots of risks being identified but no solutions. I was so fearful of what would happen to patient care and to staff being asked to give care in that unsafe and stressful environment.
When we were on the picket line we got so much support, it was humbling. It was awful rain but the public fed us and kept us warm and brought us coffee. They supported us on social media and tooted their horns on the way past.
I understand the concerns nursing staff have about voting to strike. But I’d say, speak to the RCN. They’re organised, they have contingency plans in place. They were amazing to us the last time and knew our priority was patient care.
Hear more from Edna on her experiences of striking:
More information
- Find out more about the Fair Pay for Nursing campaign and how you can get involved.
- Read our industrial action handbook.
