Unite’s members across the civil service will refuse to conduct winter service for a week

Strike action on 18 January by civil service workers including in Strangford ferry, rivers’ agency, historical environment division, forestry service, roads service as well as staff in the PSNI who are paid on the same pay-scale

Unite has announced that all its members in the civil service as well as PSNI staff will be joining the one-day strike action by public sector workers in Northern Ireland on 18 January. 

In addition roads service and forestry service workers will continue their strike action for a week from 18 January to 24 January with action short of strike action being taken by other Unite civil service workers who will refuse to conduct winter services (gritting) during this period. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “The funding for a pay increase for public sector workers is available but it is being cynically withheld by the secretary of state. He must immediately release this money – it is disgraceful that it is being withheld for use as political leverage. 

“Unite members working in the civil service and as PSNI support staff can count on the full and continued support of their union in their fight to win a cost of living pay increase.”

The workers are seeking the release of funds for a pay increase currently being withheld by the secretary of state for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris as political leverage in Stormont talks.

Strike action by civil service workers is likely to have significant impact given the role of the workers as frontline service providers and current seasonal conditions.

Lead regional officer for Unite for civil service workers is Gareth Scott who said: “Unite members in the civil service are on the frontline in ensuring road safety, addressing flood risk, providing the Strangford ferry and maintaining our forests and historic buildings but are among the lowest paid workers in the civil service. That is not acceptable and recruitment and retention in the civil service is a real problem.  

“The secretary of state has it in his power to avoid this strike action. He must immediately release the funds he is withholding to help address the poverty pay of these workers.”