NSAI: Unite slams ‘breathtaking cynicism’ of bank holiday closure announcement

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Union warns of public sector industrial relations impact and urges government intervention

Trade union Unite, which represents technical staff working for the National Standards Authority of Ireland’s medical devices section, today (Sunday) slammed the NSAI’s announcement that the section is to close.  The decision was communicated to workers by email at 2 minutes to 5pm by the CEO Geraldine Larkin as workers were about to head off for the bank holiday weekend.

Last week Unite members in the NSAI voted overwhelmingly for industrial action following the authority’s decision to seek government sanction for compulsory redundancies contrary to established practice in the public sector.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The NSAI’s decision to announce the forthcoming closure of their medical devices section shortly before 5 pm on a bank holiday weekend smacks of breathtaking cynicism and malice towards workers, especially as the authority is already facing industrial action after proposing compulsory redundancies”. Continue reading →

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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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