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24/10/2002
Fire Brigades Union delegation meets NIO Minister
Fire Brigades Union (FBU) representatives have met NIO Minister Des Browne today to discuss the upcoming firefighters' strike which is set to start next week.
The union met with Mr Browne to push the case for a 40% pay increase for full-time firefighters which would see their salaries rise to £30,000 per annum.
Employers have already offered 4% as an interim deal, plus whatever an independent government review recommends should be linked to new ways of working. However, that has been rejected by unions.
The Prime Minister Tony Blair said today that, on the core 40% wage claim, "no government could yield to such a demand".
He added: "We don't want a confrontation, we have done everything we possibly can to avoid it, but we are in a situation in which the firefighters have an existing pay formula. We are prepared to honour that pay formula."
More than 96% of the union's members in Northern Ireland voted in favour of the industrial action.
The action consists of two 48-hour and four eight-day strikes, and are expected to start on Tuesday.
The FBU has estimated that a national strike will cost the government over £5.2 million per day.
Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary said: “These figures show the estimated direct financial cost of a national fire service strike, but do not show the indirect cost to life and property should we be forced to take strike action next week."
Meanwhile, the union's Northern Ireland branch spokesman, Jim Barbour – who was part of the delegation that met the NIO minister – said that the 32 Green Goddess vehicles, which are set to replace 130 modern fire engines, would not be enough to handle the strike.
One retired fireman has said that the relative merits of a modern fire engine as compared to the 49-year-old Green Goddess would be like comparing a Harrier jump jet to a Spitfire.
(MB)
The union met with Mr Browne to push the case for a 40% pay increase for full-time firefighters which would see their salaries rise to £30,000 per annum.
Employers have already offered 4% as an interim deal, plus whatever an independent government review recommends should be linked to new ways of working. However, that has been rejected by unions.
The Prime Minister Tony Blair said today that, on the core 40% wage claim, "no government could yield to such a demand".
He added: "We don't want a confrontation, we have done everything we possibly can to avoid it, but we are in a situation in which the firefighters have an existing pay formula. We are prepared to honour that pay formula."
More than 96% of the union's members in Northern Ireland voted in favour of the industrial action.
The action consists of two 48-hour and four eight-day strikes, and are expected to start on Tuesday.
The FBU has estimated that a national strike will cost the government over £5.2 million per day.
Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary said: “These figures show the estimated direct financial cost of a national fire service strike, but do not show the indirect cost to life and property should we be forced to take strike action next week."
Meanwhile, the union's Northern Ireland branch spokesman, Jim Barbour – who was part of the delegation that met the NIO minister – said that the 32 Green Goddess vehicles, which are set to replace 130 modern fire engines, would not be enough to handle the strike.
One retired fireman has said that the relative merits of a modern fire engine as compared to the 49-year-old Green Goddess would be like comparing a Harrier jump jet to a Spitfire.
(MB)
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22 November 2002
Government 'scuppered' deal as FBU begin strike
The firefighters strike went ahead this morning with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claiming the government had "scuppered" a deal which could have ended industrial action. The FBU have said that a 16% pay rise was agreed with national employers after gruelling negotiations at around 4.15am this morning.
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The firefighters strike went ahead this morning with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) claiming the government had "scuppered" a deal which could have ended industrial action. The FBU have said that a 16% pay rise was agreed with national employers after gruelling negotiations at around 4.15am this morning.
06 February 2014
Queen's Uni Staff Stage One-Day Strike
Staff at Queen's University in Belfast are staging a one-day strike. The action comes in a dispute over pay and has been organised by trade unions, the University and College Union (UCU) and Unite.
Queen's Uni Staff Stage One-Day Strike
Staff at Queen's University in Belfast are staging a one-day strike. The action comes in a dispute over pay and has been organised by trade unions, the University and College Union (UCU) and Unite.
16 April 2004
Coleraine Social Security contingency plans announced
The Social Security Agency today announced that special arrangements have been made to maintain services during the strike action planned by Civil Servants at its Coleraine office on Monday. The strike is a continuation by members of the trade union, NIPSA over pay conditions.
Coleraine Social Security contingency plans announced
The Social Security Agency today announced that special arrangements have been made to maintain services during the strike action planned by Civil Servants at its Coleraine office on Monday. The strike is a continuation by members of the trade union, NIPSA over pay conditions.
01 October 2003
Shorts workers vote in favour of strike action
Members of the largest trade union group at Bombardier Shorts have narrowly voted in favour of strike action. The ballot, by trade union group Amicus, called on members to vote on whether they were prepared to take strike action over the current jobs threat at the aerospace company as well as a recent change in afternoon shift patterns.
Shorts workers vote in favour of strike action
Members of the largest trade union group at Bombardier Shorts have narrowly voted in favour of strike action. The ballot, by trade union group Amicus, called on members to vote on whether they were prepared to take strike action over the current jobs threat at the aerospace company as well as a recent change in afternoon shift patterns.
08 May 2002
Strike action at Aldergrove suspended pending talks
Security staff at Belfast International Airport have returned to their jobs just hours after they commenced strike action following fresh talks between union officials and their employers. Around 100 security staff employed by aviation security firm ICTS went on strike from 4am to 8am on Wednesday May 7 in protest over pay and conditions.
Strike action at Aldergrove suspended pending talks
Security staff at Belfast International Airport have returned to their jobs just hours after they commenced strike action following fresh talks between union officials and their employers. Around 100 security staff employed by aviation security firm ICTS went on strike from 4am to 8am on Wednesday May 7 in protest over pay and conditions.
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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.
