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18/01/2024
Thousands Of Public Sector Workers Begin Strike Action
Northern Ireland's largest strike in around 50 years has gotten underway today, 18 January.
Around 170,000 public sector workers are taking part in the industrial action.
Members from over 15 unions including health, education and transport workers are taking part in the day of mass industrial action.
The disruption is within health, education, transport and roads. All schools have been closed, no buses or trains will be operating and health services have been significantly reduced.
The strikes are due to ongoing pay disputes.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy said: "The Secretary of State's strategy has clearly failed and it has failed the people of Northern Ireland.
"The trade union movement have won the popular argument, as witnessed by the support we have seen from women's groups, the voluntary sector, students’ unions, the 50 chief executives in the public sector, the PSNI Chief Constable and the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the public at large."
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said it was "regrettable" that the Stormont Assembly had not been resurrected to access funds to facilitate public sector pay rises.
He said: "Today's strike will be disruptive for people across Northern Ireland. I understand the serious concerns that people across Northern Ireland have about the impact this action will have on vital public services.
"While public sector pay is devolved, the UK Government has offered a fair and generous package worth over £3bn which would address public sector pay and provides more than £1bn to stabilise public services.
"This will require ministers being back to work in Stormont so that decisions on governing can be taken in the round."
Around 170,000 public sector workers are taking part in the industrial action.
Members from over 15 unions including health, education and transport workers are taking part in the day of mass industrial action.
The disruption is within health, education, transport and roads. All schools have been closed, no buses or trains will be operating and health services have been significantly reduced.
The strikes are due to ongoing pay disputes.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy said: "The Secretary of State's strategy has clearly failed and it has failed the people of Northern Ireland.
"The trade union movement have won the popular argument, as witnessed by the support we have seen from women's groups, the voluntary sector, students’ unions, the 50 chief executives in the public sector, the PSNI Chief Constable and the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the public at large."
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said it was "regrettable" that the Stormont Assembly had not been resurrected to access funds to facilitate public sector pay rises.
He said: "Today's strike will be disruptive for people across Northern Ireland. I understand the serious concerns that people across Northern Ireland have about the impact this action will have on vital public services.
"While public sector pay is devolved, the UK Government has offered a fair and generous package worth over £3bn which would address public sector pay and provides more than £1bn to stabilise public services.
"This will require ministers being back to work in Stormont so that decisions on governing can be taken in the round."
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Sinn Féin has called on the UK government to "do more" to fully support public sector workers and services. The party's economy spokesperson, MLA Conor Murphy, said: "Once again, the Tories have continued with their cruel agenda of austerity with more real term cuts to funding for public services and less money for pay.
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Public sector trade union, NIPSA, has criticised Chancellor George Osborne following Wednesday afternoon's Spending Review. Yesterday, Mr Osborne revealed Northern Ireland's budget for the year 2015/16 is to be cut by 2% to £9.6bn.
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Strike Action Taken Across NI
Public sector workers in Northern Ireland are taking part in a one-day strike across the UK today. The action involves tens of thousands of people across the regions, including civil servants, teachers and local government staff. In all, six unions are striking in Northern Ireland: NIPSA, UNISON, UNITE, GMB, SIPTU, and PCS.
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Public sector workers in Northern Ireland are taking part in a one-day strike across the UK today. The action involves tens of thousands of people across the regions, including civil servants, teachers and local government staff. In all, six unions are striking in Northern Ireland: NIPSA, UNISON, UNITE, GMB, SIPTU, and PCS.
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All public transport, including trains and buses and many local services such as refuse collection are all to grind to a halt at midnight tonight as one of the largest UK-wide strikes in recent years kick-off.
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All public transport, including trains and buses and many local services such as refuse collection are all to grind to a halt at midnight tonight as one of the largest UK-wide strikes in recent years kick-off.
16 February 2024
£688m Announced For Public Sector Pay Awards
£688 million has been announced to prioritise public sector pay awards, Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA has announced. The allocation was part of the £1.045bn available from the Executive Restoration package for general pressures and pay in 2023-24. Some £22 million of resource funding was also available from the Executive’s own funds.
£688m Announced For Public Sector Pay Awards
£688 million has been announced to prioritise public sector pay awards, Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA has announced. The allocation was part of the £1.045bn available from the Executive Restoration package for general pressures and pay in 2023-24. Some £22 million of resource funding was also available from the Executive’s own funds.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
