24/01/2020

Civil Servants Stage 24-Hour Strike

Thousands of civil servants have walked out of their posts as they stage a 24-hour strike over pay.

Members of Northern Ireland's largest public sector union are taking action to demand a decent pay increase and protection of their terms and conditions of employment.

NIPSA members are also appealing for the same urgency and engagement as that awarded to recent healthcare strikes.

Areas affected by the action on Friday 24 January include jobs and benefits offices, universal credit processing centres, rating offices, veterinary officers, meat inspectors, DAERA direct offices, public prosecution service, tribunals and various other civil service functions.

The action went ahead after a meeting with Finance Minister Connor Murphy on Wednesday and follows similar industrial strikes last July.

Alison Millar, General Secretary of the union, said: "Members are angry that they have not had a resolution to their long running dispute on the issue of pay, terms and conditions."

Further discontent was sparked among civil servants this week when it emerged that local MLAs will receive a £1000 pay rise, as approved by the Independent Financial Review Panel (IFRP).

Political leaders have asked for the pay award to be deferred.

Stormont's institutions were restored earlier this month after three years of political stalemate.



(JG/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

08 March 2024
Infrastructure Minister Offers Condolences On Latest A5 Fatality
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd has offered his "heartfelt condolences" following the latest fatality on the A5. Minister O’Dowd said: "I wish to send my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Caolán who lost his life in a road traffic collision on the A5 last night.
27 February 2024
Finance Minister Announces New Ciivil Servant Pay Offer
The Finance Minister has announced a new pay offer for civil servants, which would see the majority receive a 5% consolidated increase plus a one-off £1,500 non-consolidated payment. The pay offer followed negotiations with recognised industrial and non-industrial civil service trade unions.
24 May 2021
Hovis Workers Agree Increased Pay Offer
A majority of Hovis workers have accepted an increased pay offer and strike action has now ended. Unite the union welcomed the offer and said it was as "decisive victory for workforce achieved through collective organisation and industrial militancy".
21 April 2022
Translink Strike Action Deferred Following New Pay Offer
The upcoming Translink strike action has been deferred following the proposal of a new pay offer.
10 September 2002
MLA's call for new firefighters pay scheme
Two UUP MLA's have called on the Northern Ireland Executive to implement a new pay scheme for Ulster's firefighters. North Antrim UUP MLA the Rev Robert Coulter called for the introduction of a new pay formula in a motion to the Assembly on Monday. Mr Coulter said he hoped it would help achieve a real remedy to the question of firefighter’s pay.