Workers at Newry, Mourne & Down District Council prepare to return to industrial action for fair treatment.

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Workers in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have lost trust and confidence in the NDMDC Chief Executive Marie Ward, and are commencing a new ballot for refreshed industrial action, up to and including strike action, after management at the Council have neglected to honour a deal agreed in 2022.

Two meetings of Council staff were held last week in Newry and Downpatrick, hosted by the four trade unions representing workers of all grades – NIPSA, SIPTU, GMB and Unite.

Firstly, it was decided to call for a vote of no confidence in the current Chief Executive. This vote was carried unanimously in both venues and must be seen as message to those in a position of influence, that this type of leader who cannot, or will not, honour negotiated agreements is not acceptable to our members or their staff.

Secondly, it was decided to carry out a ballot for industrial action, to include both action short of a strike as well as strike action.

To give some background, Council workers from all four unions took part in a number of successful industrial action campaigns in 2021 and 2022.

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Roads Service maintenance workers in Unite commence one week strike action

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Road Workers demand productivity payment be integrated into payscales to remove potential mechanism for pay victimization.

More than two hundreds Unite members employed by the Roads Service of Northern Ireland will be joining with colleagues in the GMB in taking strike action for a week commencing Monday 27th February.

The industrial action follows a ballot of Unite members which returned a 95.30 percent vote for strike. The workers seek changes to their terms and conditions meaning the integration of a productivity bonus into their payscales.

Roads Service workers’ pay is dependent on a productivity-based payment which is subject to the determination of managers. In the recent year roads workers at some hubs have taken strike action over allegations of bullying and harassment and are now seeking to close down a mechanism which potentially leaves them subject to victimization by managers.

The strike pickets will be established at 8am on Monday 27 February and will last seven days and affect roads maintenance work across Northern Ireland.

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Overwhelming 93 per cent vote for industrial action at Cargotec in ‘fake TUPE’ dispute

Posted on February 22, 2023 by unitetheunion

Unite says it is determined to ensure workers’ pay and conditions do not come under attack

Action at Dundalk facility set to start on 10 March

22 February: Unite, which represents over 200 workers at the Cargotec (formerly Moffett Engineering) facility in Dundalk, today (Tuesday) announced that a ballot of members had returned an overwhelming 93 per cent vote in favour of industrial action, starting with a one-day stoppage on 10 March. 

The dispute follows the company’s refusal to engage meaningfully at the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court regarding their proposal to transfer workers under what Unite describes as a ‘fake TUPE’, meaning established jobs, pay and conditions could come under future attack.

Cargotec is a successful multinational, generating over €4 billion in revenue during 2022.

Commenting, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

“Cargotec’s success is due to the commitment and expertise of its workforce in Dundalk and elsewhere.  It has a responsibility to treat this workforce with dignity and respect.

“However, Unite members have well-founded concerns that the company is engaging in a ‘fake TUPE’ process.  This union will not accept any attempt to undermine our members’ terms and conditions now or in the future.  The Cargotec workers have Unite’s full and unstinting support in this battle to defend their jobs.”

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Thousands of Unite health members to join Northern Ireland-wide strike in demand for fair wages and safe staffing

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Union warns of `existential crisis’ for health service as NI wages fall further behind

4000 members of Unite the union will join strike action tomorrow (Tuesday) at health and social care workplaces, across Northern Ireland.

Workers, including ambulance service workers, are fighting for a fair pay rise and urgent action to avert an `existential crisis’ in the service.

Unite’s health and social care members will picket at hospitals across NI from 07:00 hours

The strike follows ballot across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service which returned an average 87 per cent vote in favour of strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s members’ overwhelming vote for strike action signals their determination to secure a cost of living pay increase and safe staffing for patients.

“With chronic low pay making it impossible to recruit and retain essential health workers, the health service in Northern Ireland is facing an existential crisis. 

“In the absence of a functioning Stormont executive, the responsibility for resolving this dispute falls to the UK government. The PM and ministers have been missing in action but it is their job to ensure that NHS bosses make a realistic offer to the workers who keep our health and social care services running.  They must get on and do so without delay.”

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Unite urges large turnout at ‘Ireland For All’ solidarity march tomorrow

Posted on February 17, 2023 by unitetheunion

17 February: Unite, which represents workers throughout the economy, is supporting the “Ireland For All’ solidarity march being organised tomorrow (Saturday 18 February).  Speaking ahead of the event, the union’s Regional Secretary, Jackie Pollock, said that many members were concerned at attempts by a small but vocal number of individuals to sow division in communities over recent months:

“It has been especially worrying to see protests being organised outside buildings accommodating people seeking international protection, adding to the trauma experienced by those who may have fled war or oppression in their countries of origin.

“Many of these protests have been orchestrated by people from outside the relevant areas.  These individuals and groups are exploiting the frustration of local communities at the lack of services, and in particular the ongoing housing crisis, to foster hate and divide working people.  They offer no solutions to the problems confronting communities.

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