Junior doctors in Northern Ireland have commenced a 48-hour strike to demand better pay and address staff retention issues.
The industrial action will start at 7am on Thursday, June 6 and end at 7am on Saturday, June 8.
The strike includes a rally at Stormont in the afternoon, organized by the BMA Northern Ireland union.
This action follows a 48-hour strike from May 22 to 24, impacting hospitals and GP surgeries across the region.
The union advocates for a full pay restoration to 2008 levels.
It argues junior doctors’ salaries have effectively decreased by 30 percent over the past 15 years.
This is due to pay awards not keeping pace with inflation.
Union bosses highlight newly-qualified doctors in Northern Ireland often see colleagues in other parts of the UK and abroad receiving better pay and working conditions.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health acknowledged the expected widespread disruption to services on Thursday and Friday.
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The spokesperson said at the time the strike ballot was launched, junior doctors and all health service staff had not received a pay award for 2023/24.
However, they confirmed a backdated 2023/24 pay award will be issued this month, following the recommendations of the national pay review body.
The spokesperson added: “This pay award involves an average pay increase of 9.07 percent for junior doctors in Northern Ireland, with those in their first year receiving a 10.68 percent uplift.”
