Strike action set to continue over a two week period spanning end of April and early May

Following on from strike action taken by Unite members at Councils, the Education Authority, NI Housing Executive, Further Education colleges, Schools and youth service, the union has now confirmed a timetable of further strike action. This will take the form of a discontinuous strike in the last week of April and early May.

The strike follows the failure of employers to provide an improved pay offer to workers. The increase offered under the National Joint Council amounts to 1.75 percent. The current rate of inflation impacting workers’ living standard is nine percent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham offered her union’s support to the workers taking further strike action in Northern Ireland saying: “The offer of 1.75 percent is completely unacceptable – it’s a huge wage cut.  All workers have a right to expect pay to keep pace with inflationary pressures and it’s appalling that public sector workers face a choice of heating or eating.

“Workers out on pickets in Northern Ireland are demonstrating their determination to secure real improvements. They have my complete support and that of everyone in Unite.”

Regional Officer for Unite, Gareth Scott laid the blame for the continued strike action at the feet of employers:  “These workers took a powerful first week of strike action only a matter of weeks ago.  They also gathered in large numbers at Stormont to highlight their determination to defend themselves from the cost of living crisis.

“These employers need to address the pay expectations of their workforce. Their failure to do so to date has led to this escalation and the unnecessary disruption that will inevitably result.”