Health workers strike over death threat

Nearly 1,000 Belfast health workers were today staging a one-day strike after a death threat was issued to a member of staff.

Union chiefs insisted their members stop work in disgust at the letter claiming to be from loyalist paramilitaries.

A bullet is also understood to have been enclosed in the package which police have been investigating since it was delivered last Wednesday.

Dismayed bosses at the North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust hit out at the decision to press ahead with the 24-hour stoppage.

Director of Operations Noel Rooney voiced total sympathy for the victim, but insisted the protest should have taken another form.

He warned: “There will be serious disruptions to some of our services because of the full day action.

“We had very positive, fruitful discussions right up to lunchtime today but they proved in vain.”

The Loyalist Commission, an umbrella organisation which includes representatives from the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force, assured the trust neither of these paramilitary organisations were behind the threat.

With confusion still surrounding the origin of the letter, management insisted they have assured the person targeted all possible safety measures will be taken.

Efforts to have the strike averted were spurred on by the mass anti-sectarianism rally already planned for Belfast city centre tomorrow.

But workers affiliated to the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance intent on a show of solidarity refused to budge.

Kevin Lawrenson, NIPSA’s officer in north and west Belfast, insisted workers had been left with no option but to strike.

He said: “Our members have been exposed to a lot of civil unrest in the area but this was simply the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“The individual threatened is extremely distraught and has found the whole experience extremely frightening.”

He apologised for any disruption the action would cause, but added: “Members feel strongly that they need to show solidarity and support.”