The RCN Northern Ireland have launched a conservative ballot. The general idea is to try and ask members to see if they agree to the proposed framework agreement regarding pay parity and to also find out if this can be done with the NHS England. The RCN have appointed Civica Election Services to see if they can dispatch all of the ballot papers and to also see if they can hand out the associated consultation documents as well. This is going to be done for members who are in Northern Ireland, but it is only going to include those who are actually eligible to take part. They are going to be distributed via email but if you do not have a valid email address then you can take part by post.

Any member of a nursing recruitment agency, or anyone for that matter, who does not actually receive a ballot paper over the next days can easily order a replacement. Those who work in a nurse agency or those who are seeking nursing jobs should know that the ballot is going to consult members on pay parity and the proposals that are going to be made in regards to safe staffing. The Department of Health are now developing a pay calculator. When this is used, members will be able to check their own pay journey as it changes.

The RCN have also produced a consultation document among with other trade unions. These are available through RCN members. There is also going to be a series of workplace consultation events as well. This is going to give those who are active members of the community the chance to ask questions about the proposals as well as helping them to understand the gravity of the situation. Of course, it was never easy to take action like this but as some may know, desperate times call for desperate measures.