Menu
17/10/2003
Bus strikes begin across NI
Nearly a quarter of a million people were left to make alternative travel arrangements today as local bus drivers began a 24-hour strike over pay.
Around 180,000 passengers, as well as 65,000 school children were affected by the strike which is being held by 1,700 bus drivers across the province.
While many commuters experienced traffic congestion across Northern Ireland this morning, it was not as bad as first feared.
Today's strike is the first of five planned strikes by drivers if the current impasse is not overcome.
Unions said the other strike dates would be on 24 and 31 October and 7 and 10 November.
Union representatives have rejected a 4.7% pay increase offered by Translink as inadequate, claiming that current wage levels are 17% below the average manual worker's wage at present.
"We would need a 4% increase above inflation for the next five years to bring us near the average manual worker's wage," a spokesperson said.
A last minute High Court injunction sought by Translink to prevent the industrial action from going ahead was rejected late on Thursday.
(MB)
Around 180,000 passengers, as well as 65,000 school children were affected by the strike which is being held by 1,700 bus drivers across the province.
While many commuters experienced traffic congestion across Northern Ireland this morning, it was not as bad as first feared.
Today's strike is the first of five planned strikes by drivers if the current impasse is not overcome.
Unions said the other strike dates would be on 24 and 31 October and 7 and 10 November.
Union representatives have rejected a 4.7% pay increase offered by Translink as inadequate, claiming that current wage levels are 17% below the average manual worker's wage at present.
"We would need a 4% increase above inflation for the next five years to bring us near the average manual worker's wage," a spokesperson said.
A last minute High Court injunction sought by Translink to prevent the industrial action from going ahead was rejected late on Thursday.
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 May 2022
Translink Bus Strike 'Back On' From 17-23 May
The bus strike "is back on", the GMB Union has announced after their members rejected a revised pay offer. The union has said that drivers, cleaners and shunters across the company will walk out for seven days from 17 to 23 May 2022, "causing the entire bus network to grind to a halt".
Translink Bus Strike 'Back On' From 17-23 May
The bus strike "is back on", the GMB Union has announced after their members rejected a revised pay offer. The union has said that drivers, cleaners and shunters across the company will walk out for seven days from 17 to 23 May 2022, "causing the entire bus network to grind to a halt".
23 March 2018
Translink Urges Women To Take Up A Career In Bus Driving
Translink is urging women to find out more about a career as a bus driver. The firm is encouraging females to take part in 'Have A Go Days' to increase the numbers of women applying. Translink is currently recruiting for Metro, Glider and Ulsterbus drivers.
Translink Urges Women To Take Up A Career In Bus Driving
Translink is urging women to find out more about a career as a bus driver. The firm is encouraging females to take part in 'Have A Go Days' to increase the numbers of women applying. Translink is currently recruiting for Metro, Glider and Ulsterbus drivers.
11 May 2022
Ulsterbus And Metro Drivers Reject Pay Offer
Ulsterbus and Metro bus drivers have rejected Translink's latest pay offer as "inadequate in the face of spiralling living costs", Unite the Union has reported.
Ulsterbus And Metro Drivers Reject Pay Offer
Ulsterbus and Metro bus drivers have rejected Translink's latest pay offer as "inadequate in the face of spiralling living costs", Unite the Union has reported.
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.
07 November 2003
Bus drivers vote to accept pay deal
Northern Ireland bus drivers voted yesterday to accept an improved pay offer of 5.7%. Bus drivers had put the threat of further stoppages on hold, while representatives from the two main unions, the Transport and General Workers' Union and the GMB, held talks with Translink managers.
Bus drivers vote to accept pay deal
Northern Ireland bus drivers voted yesterday to accept an improved pay offer of 5.7%. Bus drivers had put the threat of further stoppages on hold, while representatives from the two main unions, the Transport and General Workers' Union and the GMB, held talks with Translink managers.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Apart from a little patchy drizzle it will be a dry evening and night with variable amounts of cloud. A few mist and fog patches forming. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
