Menu
30/11/2023
Austerity Budget Blamed For Bus And Rail Strike
An austerity budget imposed by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, has been blamed for the first bus and rail strike in Northern Ireland since 2015.
Translink NI workers with Unite, GMB and SIPTU will begin a 24-hour, network wide, strike from midnight tonight, in a pay dispute.
The strike action will affect bus and rail services across Northern Ireland and the action by members of all three public transport unions is likely to mean that no services will operate throughout the day. The strike is the first to occur on bus and rail since 2015.
The industrial action follows coordinated strike ballots held by the three unions which returned overwhelming support for industrial action. Bus workers in Unite voted 96.5% for strike, Translink workers in GMB voted 95.6% for strike and in SIPTU by 93.1%.
The ballots were conducted after workers rejected a pay freeze– equivalent to a 11 per cent real-terms pay cut once (RPI) inflation is taken into account.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "To attempt to impose a pay freeze is sickening in what is the worst cost of living crisis for workers in decades.
"In taking strike action, our members can be confident of the full and continuing support of Unite."
GMB, regional organiser Peter Macklin said: "Strike action is always a last resort for all workers but our members have been offered no alternative but to halt work for a 24 hour period. The impact of this strike will be very significant and will affect all parts of Northern Ireland's economy and society. The secretary of state must intervene now to improve funding for public transport services so that public transport workers can receive a cost of living pay increase."
Niall McNally regional organiser for SIPTU's membership in Translink, said: "This is only the first day of planned strike action by bus and rail workers. Like all other public sector workers, those employed by Translink have a right to a pay increase that offers protection from rising prices. If further disruption in the lead up to Christmas is to be avoided, the secretary of state will need to reverse his approach, end the pay freeze policy and remove threats to public transport services in Northern Ireland."
Translink NI workers with Unite, GMB and SIPTU will begin a 24-hour, network wide, strike from midnight tonight, in a pay dispute.
The strike action will affect bus and rail services across Northern Ireland and the action by members of all three public transport unions is likely to mean that no services will operate throughout the day. The strike is the first to occur on bus and rail since 2015.
The industrial action follows coordinated strike ballots held by the three unions which returned overwhelming support for industrial action. Bus workers in Unite voted 96.5% for strike, Translink workers in GMB voted 95.6% for strike and in SIPTU by 93.1%.
The ballots were conducted after workers rejected a pay freeze– equivalent to a 11 per cent real-terms pay cut once (RPI) inflation is taken into account.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "To attempt to impose a pay freeze is sickening in what is the worst cost of living crisis for workers in decades.
"In taking strike action, our members can be confident of the full and continuing support of Unite."
GMB, regional organiser Peter Macklin said: "Strike action is always a last resort for all workers but our members have been offered no alternative but to halt work for a 24 hour period. The impact of this strike will be very significant and will affect all parts of Northern Ireland's economy and society. The secretary of state must intervene now to improve funding for public transport services so that public transport workers can receive a cost of living pay increase."
Niall McNally regional organiser for SIPTU's membership in Translink, said: "This is only the first day of planned strike action by bus and rail workers. Like all other public sector workers, those employed by Translink have a right to a pay increase that offers protection from rising prices. If further disruption in the lead up to Christmas is to be avoided, the secretary of state will need to reverse his approach, end the pay freeze policy and remove threats to public transport services in Northern Ireland."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 July 2024
DUP Leader Urges Govt To Financially Support NI's Public Services
DUP Leader and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has urged the new Government to enhance financial support for public services and reform in Northern Ireland.
DUP Leader Urges Govt To Financially Support NI's Public Services
DUP Leader and East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson has urged the new Government to enhance financial support for public services and reform in Northern Ireland.
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.
Translink Strike Action Deferred Following New Pay Offer
The upcoming Translink strike action has been deferred following the proposal of a new pay offer.
06 January 2023
Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland's largest island.
Further Strike Dates Announced For Rathlin Island Ferry Workers
Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland's largest island.
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".
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".
27 April 2022
Education Authority Urged To End 'Poverty Pay'
Unite has urged the Education Authority to engage in talks to end poverty pay in Northern Ireland's school services as education workers return to picket-lines. The union emphasized that, despite Education Authority's claims its hands are tied, it does have the power to make education workers an increase that betters the proposed 1.
Education Authority Urged To End 'Poverty Pay'
Unite has urged the Education Authority to engage in talks to end poverty pay in Northern Ireland's school services as education workers return to picket-lines. The union emphasized that, despite Education Authority's claims its hands are tied, it does have the power to make education workers an increase that betters the proposed 1.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with scattered showers, some of these could be heavy in the afternoon. Becoming mostly dry by evening with increasing amounts of sunshine. Feeling rather warm. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A bright end to the day with any showers quickly dying out. Dry overnight with long clear spells and light winds. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
