Frontline workers across public services, strike for cost of living pay increase

More than eight thousand members of Unite the union will participate in tomorrow’s (18 January) historic one-day coordinated strike action.

On the eve of the walkout Unite issued a warning to secretary of state for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris demanding the release the funds he has withheld from public services, including provision for a cost of living pay increase for public sector workers, or face further escalation in the dispute.

The impact of tomorrow’s strike action, the largest in Northern Ireland in generations, will be felt across the economy with all public transport services coming to a standstill, only emergency health service cover being available, and all schools closing. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said. “Years of underfunding and cutbacks, a low pay driven staffing crisis and creeping privatisation have lacerated our vital public services. This strike action represents a demand for a society where public services are delivered with proper staffing, by workers paid decently and treated with respect and dignity.

“Strike action is being taken by workers in defence of public services which benefit everyone. Low pay is driving a staffing crisis as workers vote with their feet. Unite is entirely focussed on protecting and enhancing our members jobs, pay and conditions and the union’s workers involved in this dispute have its complete support.

Rallies are being organised in Belfast and other major population centres in support of the action.

Regional secretary Susan Fitzgerald said: “Workers are angry but determined; today they have led the way and courageously made a stand in defence of public services. This strike is a giant step in the fight not just to defend our public services and secure a cost of living pay increase but to reverse years of damage and neglect.

“If the secretary of state continues his intransigent stance, workers will be left with no alternative but to continue and deepen their opposition. The behaviour of the secretary of state to date has been nothing short of contemptuous to public sector workers and to our vital services.”