Joint public transport trade union release

Trade unions to re-enter negotiations with employer to seek improved deal to resolve dispute

Public transport unions Unite, GMB and SIPTU have confirmed that their members have decisively voted to reject as inadequate a pay offer made by Translink management. The increase would have offered workers a five per cent increase plus a non-consolidated one-off payment of £1,500 for the 2023-2024 financial year.

Bus and rail workers voted with majorities of approximately 70 per cent to reject the pay offer. Following the ballot result, the unions will be holding fresh talks with Translink management to seek a resolution to the dispute.

The unions will also be engaging with their own memberships to agree the next steps in their efforts to improve pay and address the mounting recruitment and retention difficulties in the public transport services.