More strikes likely unless pay demands met: unions

More strikes likely unless pay demands met: unions

6 December 2023

A WARNING has been issued that further industrial action will be taken by transport workers in the lead-up to Christmas “unless an increase in pay is forthcoming”.

The statement came from a spokesperson of the GMB union as local Translink staff in Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Newcastle took part in a province-wide one-day strike on Friday.

The strike meant that no buses operated, as workers from Unite, GMB and Siptu unions started their 24-hour action.

The unions said workers rejected a pay freeze which they said was equivalent to a 11% real-terms pay cut once RPI inflation is taken into account.

The unions emphasised that the striker action is “always a last resort”, but said their members have been offered no alternative.

The GMB members had voted by 97% to take industrial action after their employer Translink failed to make a pay offer for 2023/24.

“In the face of the biggest cost-of-living crisis, our members have no other option but to take action after their employer failed to put an offer on the table regarding the 2023/24 pay claim, that was submitted in August,” a GMB spokesperson said.

“The Secretary of State in the absence of a functioning Executive has the power to intervene but instead he continues to punish the very people who were labelled hero’s through the Covid pandemic.

“Our members have had enough of below inflation pay and unless an increase in pay is forthcoming, I have no doubt there will be further strikes in the run-up to Christmas.”

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: “The UK Government has no authority to negotiate pay in Northern Ireland.

“It is for the relevant Northern Ireland departments to negotiate pay policies.

“It remains the Secretary of State’s priority to see the return of locally elected, accountable and effective devolved government, which is the best way for Northern Ireland to be governed.”