Department for Infrastructure must show leadership to resolve Rathlin Island ferry dispute

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Union says workers and Rathlin Island community treated as expendable in wrangle over outsourced service

Unite the union has demanded urgent action by the Department for Infrastructure to resolve an ongoing pay dispute and safeguard the ferry service to Rathlin island.

The private sector operator of the ferry service to Northern Ireland’s largest offshore island, Rathlin Island Ferry Ltd, has indicated to the Department that the company could enter liquidation by the end of January.

Unite members at the ferry operator are today striking for a third day after four days when there was no service to the island as a result of inclement conditions and strike action.

Strike action is scheduled to proceed for four days a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays) for the remainder of January.

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Northern Ireland Health and Social Care workers strike for improved pay

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Unite the union NI

Massive 87 per cent average vote for strike action across Northern Ireland trusts

4000 Unite members to strike on 26 January, February 16 ,17 and 23, 24.

Unite the union has confirmed that its members working across the health and social care sector in Northern Ireland will be participating in an industrial campaign involving all health trade unions after they voted overwhelmingly for strike action in pursuit of a cost of living pay increase.

The announcement comes as talks as discussion with the UK health secretary failed to make any progress on the 2022/23 pay claim.

In December, Unite members voted with an average 87 percent majority across all five health trusts and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for strike action.

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Rathlin Island ferry confirm further January strike dates as Unite urges Infrastructure Department to step in

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Unite the union NI
Rathlin Island Ferry workers’ picket line

Three year pay freeze amid living costs crisis leaves workers with no alternative

Workers deliver 85 percent majority to strike for improved pay

Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene and ensure workers on the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island receive a cost of living pay increase and avoid further disruption to residents and economy of Northern Ireland’s largest island.

The call came after workers took a first day of strike action yesterday (Thursday) after no increased offer was made by the ferry operator. This was despite workers having suspended planned strike action in order to allow for room for successful negotiations. The original action was scheduled to commence on Tuesday [January 3] with strike dates falling on all Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of January.

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Department for Infrastructure must intervene to avoid strike which will hugely impact Rathlin Island community

Posted on December 21, 2022 by Unite the union NI

Strike action set for early new year after private sector operator refuses to provide pay increase to ferry workers

Ferry workers vote for strike action with a 85 percent majority after three years of a pay freeze

Unite the union has called on the Department for Infrastructure to intervene to avoid a strike action which will stop the ferry service between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island four days a week.

The strike follows a ballot of ferry workers which returned a 85 percent mandate in pursuit a cost of living pay increase. Despite this ballot, the owner of the outsourced ferry service has refused to move on the workers’ pay claim – which comes after three years of a pay freeze.

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Construction giant Murphy protests in Ireland and UK over union busting 

Posted on December 20, 2022 by Unite the union NI

Demonstrations call for four sacked trade union members to be reinstated

Demonstrations will be held outside the offices of Murphy construction companies in Newbridge, County Kildare, Warrington, Stafford and London tomorrow (21 December) over union busting at the group. 

The protests form part of a campaign to secure the reinstatement of four Unite members, including a Unite shop steward, who were dismissed by the group’s Irish subsidiary, Murphy International. Unite believes the reasons for the sacking are spurious and linked to the workers’ trade union membership. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite will do whatever it takes to defend our members and shop stewards from victimisation and that includes taking all necessary action to obtain justice for these workers.

“Much of the Murphy Group’s huge income has been generated by public contracts throughout Britain and Ireland. The authorities awarding such contracts should be aware that, in Unite’s view, the decision to dismiss our members, including a Unite shop steward, was part of an attempt at union-busting that will not be tolerated.”

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