Union calls for immediate reinstatement of shop steward

When: 18:00, Monday June 24 2024

Where: Craigavon Civic & Conference Centre, Craigavon

Unite is organising a protest of trade unionists at Craigavon civic and conference centre ahead of this month’s general meeting of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council. The protest follows the sacking of a Unite workplace rep last week. The sacking was the latest in a series of actions about which unions have raised concerns.

Unite has formally registered a trade dispute with Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the union is proceeding to ballot members for industrial action in response.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “An attack against a union rep is an attack against every union member in a workplace. Unite cannot and will not accept this attack against our shop steward.

“The council has been put on notice that Unite will use all the power in its arsenal to get this disgraceful decision overturned.”

 Regional secretary Susan Fitzgerald who will speak at the protest, said:  “Senior management at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon borough council appear intent on creating a hostile environment for unions. If they do not reverse their stance they will be met head on by the strength of Unite.

“Unite is in the process of balloting our members for industrial action; management need to back off and reinstate our rep.”

The union has written to all 41 councillors at Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to invite them to attend the protest and to ask that they demand management end the hostile environment for unions.

ENDS…

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Donal O’Cofaigh, Unite Campaigns, Comms & Press (NI), tel. 07810 157926.