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.

Continue reading →

Posted in Industrial disputes, Northern Ireland news, Press Releases | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Industrial disputes, Press Releases, Republic of Ireland news | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Industrial disputes, Press Releases, Republic of Ireland news | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Strike at Haldane-Fisher ends after workers win inflation-busting pay deal

Posted on July 11, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Members of Unite employed at Haldane-Fisher in Newry are to return to work after securing an inflation beating pay increase after five weeks of all-out strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This was a hard fought and well won victory by workers who were prepared to strike to secure a decent pay increase.

“This victory once again confirms that the best way for workers to protect against the rising cost of living is get organised in Unite.” Continue reading →

Posted in Campaign for Decent Pay, Industrial disputes, Northern Ireland news | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Public sector pay: Unite to ballot members on strike action

Posted on July 8, 2026 by Unite the union NI

Union warns industrial action inevitable unless meaningful pay offer tabled

Trade union Unite, which organises workers in a wide range of public sector employments, said today that a meeting of the union’s public sector shop stewards has decided to launch a ballot for industrial action across the public sector. The decision follows the government’s failure to table what the union termed a ‘meaningful offer on pay’ following expiry of the 2024-2026 Public Service Agreement. The ballot is also protective in nature and is intended to ensure that members are in a position to respond should further negotiations fail to produce an acceptable outcome as well protecting existing conditions.

Unite is a member of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Public Services Committee, which last week advised that they do not believe there is a viable basis for opening formal negotiations in the absence of the Government setting out a sufficiently credible approach to public sector workers’ pay and living standards at the outset. Continue reading →

Posted in Industrial disputes, Press Releases, Republic of Ireland news | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment