Mr Durkan said this drastic measure proves the sheer desperation many within the profession are feeling as the fight for fair pay continues.
Today’s actions marks the first time in the history of the union that all members have voted to strike in all jurisdictions of the UK.
After joining nurses on the picket line earlier this morning, the Foyle MLA said: “It’s a disgrace that these health heroes have been forced to strike for the second time in three years and their century long history.
“That these workers feel they have no other option underscores how serious their plight is.
“This is more than a fight for fair pay; it’s about safe staffing and patient care. Those in power need to look after the people who look after us.
“It’s saddening and certainly maddening, that the fight for fair pay within the health service has not been resolved.
“Warnings were not heeded, an adequate pay deal was not secured and now the nursing workforce have been pushed to potential strike action against the backdrop of a cost of living emergency.
“Staff are being asked to cater to increasing demand with fewer resources.
“Our nurses constantly go above and beyond the line of duty, working themselves to the point of exhaustion to cover the ever growing number of gaps in the service.
“It is outrageous that their selfless passion continues to be punished with a bad deal.
“We must demand better for a workforce who have dedicated their lives to the care of others, whose dedication saw us through the COVID pandemic- that can’t be forgotten. We have to look after the people who look after us.”
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