Council in ‘broad agreement’ with unions on dispute

Council in ‘broad agreement’ with unions on dispute

29 November 2023

A LENGTHY employment dispute at Newry, Mourne and Down Council could be on the verge of a “broad agreement” after eight months of negotiations.

The local authority has been involved in talks with the Labour Relations Agency meetings with trade union members since May following strike action by the GMB, NIPSA, SIPTU and Unite unions in April.

The council employees continue to claim their employer has reneged on a commitment to a partnership-based job evaluation process.

In a report on restricted leisure facility opening times tabled at last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Active and Healthy Communities Committee, councillors were told that workforce challenges are not just in leisure, but council wide.

“In relation to opening hours, there is an opportunity for us to look at widening our opening hours,” said the officer.

“However, given our current situation around industrial relations, we are working around that process, once it is complete.”

The officer added: “It is my understanding is that we are nearing a broad agreement on that and members will be updated in due course and we can then move forward on such matters.”

Talks are expected this week between trade unions and council management after many months of the arbitration service facilitating meetings.

A joint statement issued last Friday on behalf of the local authority and trade unions confirmed that following a period of intensive negotiations between management and the recognised trade unions within the council, the principles of an agreement have been reached and will be tabled at a Council committee meeting in December.

Agreed

“During this period, it was agreed that no further industrial action would be taken by the trade unions,” the statement added.

Downpatrick councillor Oonagh Hanlon has welcomed a local authority commitment to beef up services provided at the district’s leisure centres.

She said the report tabled at last week’s council committee meeting demonstrates the commitment to review service provision, including the development of important programmes that will positively benefit local residents here.

They include enhancing classes for a range of disciplines, reviewing jacuzzi/health suite closures, implementing disability/autism swimming tuition and keeping plans to extend opening hours firmly on the agenda.

“Residents in Newry, Mourne and Down deserve to have access to first class facilities and services in their local community,” declared Cllr Hanlon.

“Since Covid, there have been many challenges facing our local leisure centres, with staff shortages leading to increased pressure on the workforce which and has had a huge impact on service delivery across the district.”

Cllr Hanlon said the council must ensure that job roles are desirable and staff are paid a fair and decent wage with proper working conditions.

She added: “This, alongside exploring potential placement and apprenticeship opportunities, is key if we are to attract and retain staff against a booming private industry.

“Residents who are paying members of local leisure facilities have been faced with ongoing distribution to opening hours and class availability. This is not good enough.”