National Standards Authority: Workers set for industrial action following redundancy threat

Posted on July 30, 2026 by unitetheunion

NSAI accused of undermining public sector industrial relations

Workers at the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action over proposed job losses.

The move by Unite members in the Medical Devices Division follows the NSAI’s decision to seek government sanction to impose compulsory redundancies contrary to established practice in the public sector. The NSAI is also proposing to impose staff reassignments without agreement.

The industrial action will start on Tuesday 4 August and will initially involve Product Reviewers withdrawing from billable work linked to conformity assessments, while Auditors will only be available to conduct audits for their daily contracted hours inclusive of travel time.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

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Pilgrim’s Food: Enniskillen workers to strike in pursuit of pay justice and paid breaks

Posted on July 28, 2026 by unitetheunion

Unite members working at the Pilgrim’s Foods site at Carran Business Park in Enniskillen are set to take strike action in pursuit of pay justice. The strike will commence at 6.30 am on Tuesday 4 August and end at 6.30 am on Saturday 8 August.

Workers are seeking a reasonable pay increase that is applied consistently to all employees within the bargaining unit and reflects the increased cost of living. They are also demanding parity in working conditions, as day shift workers currently do not receive paid breaks in line with their colleagues in other grades and shifts.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

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Balcas workers set for week-long strike action from tomorrow

Posted on July 23, 2026 by unitetheunion

Unite warns seven-day strike at Balcas will impact timber supplies across Northern Ireland

Approximately 150 Unite members employed at Balcas will take a week of strike action in an escalating industrial dispute at the Enniskillen sawmill. The strike will commence from 05:00 tomorrow (Friday 24 July) and continue for seven days.

Over the last month the low-paid workforce has taken three one-day strikes in pursuit of an improved pay increase. The strike follows rejection of an inadequate and below-inflation offer of a mere 50 pence extra in each of the next two years.

Unite is warning that the planned week-long strike action will severely impact production at Northern Ireland’s largest sawmill.

Many workers at Balcas are paid little more than the minimum wage, and most have to work excessive overtime to bring in enough money to live.

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Ambulance workers secure huge pay increase

Posted on July 17, 2026 by Unite the union NI

National Ambulance Service (NAS) workers in Unite and SIPTU have voted to accept a substantial improvement to pay to end an industrial dispute which saw a strike by workers in May

Emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and supervisors will see their pay increase by up to 23 per cent – depending on length of service. Members of Unite and SIPTU in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) workers voted overwhelmingly to accept the significant improvement recommended by the Labour Court and end the ongoing industrial dispute.

The Labour Court’s involvement followed a 24-hour strike by NAS workers and the looming threat of an escalation in the dispute.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said, “This is a huge win for our members and a seismic shift in pay but it is six years overdue. It is a disgrace that it took strike action by ambulance workers to bring the NAS to the table.

“Once again this victory demonstrates that workers organising in a union and being prepared strike is the best way to secure real improvements on pay and basic respect from an employer.” Continue reading →

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ESB engineers begin ban on out of hours work

Posted on July 15, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Over 20 members of Unite in ESB’s Engineering and Major Projects business unit, will begin a ban on non-emergency work outside of normal hours. The decision follows a unanimous ballot for industrial action in pursuit of fair overtime pay.

The engineers have responsibility for the frontline commissioning and maintenance of critical high voltage infrastructure, essential to the safe and reliable operation of the electricity network. Many of the engineers are on lower base pay than workers they work alongside and who are all entitled to premium overtime rates.

The industrial action will have a significant impact on the delivery of maintenance work programmes during a particularly busy period.

The industrial action will be continuous from 17:00 today (Wednesday 15 July).

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “All workers, deserve a fair days pay. It is appalling that workers are being denied a decent rate for overtime work.

“It beggars belief that a publicly owned utility has for years frustrated our members’ efforts to resolve this injustice.” Continue reading →

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