Pat Lawlor Archives - Socialist Party

4 minute read

Coronavirus Crisis

Covid-19: Prioritise public health, not private profit

Health workers are on the front line in tackling the Covid-19 crisis and undoubtedly displaying huge dedication and self-sacrifice in doing so. However they are fighting this battle in the context of a health system which was already in chronic crisis, due to decades of underfunding from both Stormont and Westminster, leaving services overstretched and understaffed. This was a key issue health workers raised during their momentous strikes and industrial action late last year.

bySocialist Party

March 19, 2020

2 minute read

Local Politics

Mental health crisis: Campaigners fighting back

The mental health emergency across Northern Ireland was brought starkly into focus this week, with protests being held by two different campaign groups within days of each other.

bySocialist Party

March 6, 2020

2 minute read

Ambulance staff say, “Our union, our choice!”

Since January 2018, there has been a protracted industrial dispute in the South between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and front-line ambulance service workers represented by the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) over recognition and the workers' right to choose which union represents them.

bySocialist Party

July 31, 2019

3 minute read

Workplace

Public sector workers prepare for pay battles

At the end of February, the Department of Health for Northern Ireland enforced a pay ‘award’ on health workers. This was imposed above the heads of the trade unions after an intense period of negotiations reached an impasse and workers gave overwhelming support for industrial action, including strike action, in consultative ballots conducted by the unions.

bySocialist Party

May 31, 2019

2 minute read

NHS Staff Reaching Breaking Point

Our health service is nearing the precipice, but the damage can be reversed. As a health worker, I need my own union, NIPSA, and the union movement as a whole to step up - to defend our right to a decent standard of living, not to scratch out an existence from month to month; to fight for public ownership of all parts of our health services.

bySocialist Party

October 16, 2018

2 minute read

NIPSA: Important conference reaffirms union’s fighting stance

After three days of positive debate and discussion and with firm foundations laid for the year ahead, Conference ended with a rendition of Pete Seeger's rousing union song 'Solidarity Forever'. Delegates standing with fists held high understood this could not have been more significant.

bySocialist Party

July 4, 2018

2 minute read

Local Politics

Save our special schools

On Tuesday 27th March, hundreds of parents, children, staff and trade unionists rallied in opposition to the proposal to close seven special needs schools across Belfast and merge them into three super schools. Parents had made their own posters and banners, many with images of their own children, with slogans such as 'Save My School' and 'Not all children have voices, but they have choices'.

bySocialist Party

May 15, 2018