Derry council workers strike and demand fair pay rise

A sea of people and trade union flags stood outside the Derry Council offices on the Strand Road today as council workers strike for a fairer pay rise.

The workers, given a 1.75 per cent pay rise post-pandemic, are striking in a bid to gain at least five per cent with the hopes of ten per cent.

Cars continuously honked and waved in solidarity with the workers as they drove past the offices today.

The current strike is set to last seven days, with disruption to refuse collection and other council services but workers say if nothing comes of this strike, they will simply have to strike again. 

Paddy Curtis, a council leisure worker and UNITE union member said: "We are getting so much public support, as you can hear, all the cars are popping and everybody is supportive of our demands.

"We only got 1.75 per cent and they're taking it off us in April with the national insurance hike. With that and inflation and everything else, it's pointless.

"There are people here who are earning just above the living wage. Everybody was looking for the 10 per cent, especially after the pandemic. 

"Everyone that couldn't work their usual jobs, like leisure attendants because the centres were closed, we were out litter picking or up to the cemetery to help out, we were doing other things, anything we could to help out. 

"The Council did appreciate that. Derry and Strabane Council, I have to say, in my opinion, they are the fairest Council. 

"We have just heard news today that they are going to enter talks about a pay increase, so the strike is working. 

"We are not going to call the strike off, it will finish after the seven days. Hopefully now that the talks are starting, we will get somewhere. I don't want to be back here again. 

Council workers and UNITE union members striking outside Council buildings on Strand Road, Derry

"We did a ballot before and 90 percent of members voted in favour of the strike and if nothing comes of this strike, If we have to do another ballot, we will, and the strike will probably be longer the next time. 

"You see the support out here and the turnout. They are now talking, I haven't heard the details, we don't know what percentage will be coming back, but hopefully it is the ten percent."

Strike action by members of UNITE Union began Monday March 21 and will end Sunday March 27 inclusive.

A council spokesperson said: "Council fully respects the right of staff to take industrial action following an official ballot and to date we are experiencing considerable disruption to a number of services such as refuse collection, street cleansing, recycling centres and a number of other services. 

"The level of impact will be variable across all services and is subject to change as the week progresses.

"Refuse collections across the Council area are severely impacted. All routine Blue bin and Brown bin collection services will not operate this week. 

"It is therefore advised that members of the public do not put their bins out for collection during this period. It is hoped Black Bin services will commence as normal on March 28 with the Blue and Brown bin collections recommencing the following week, commencing April 4."

The following recycling centres also remain closed:  Pennyburn Recycling Centre, Glendermott Road Recycling Centre, Strahans Road Recycling Centre, Strathfoyle Recycling Centre, Eglinton Recycling Centre, Claudy Recycling Centre, Park Recycling Centre, Donemana Recycling Centre, Plumbridge Recycling Centre, Newtownstewart Recycling Centre and Spamont and Castlederg temporary facility.

Council’s free bulky waste service will also not be available this week.

Waste enforcement services will be fully operational with teams working as normal during this period.

Council owned public parks and play areas that are gated are impacted with many remaining closed this week.

The strike action is having a variable impact across all leisure centres and facilities in the Council area.

Swimming pools at all leisure sites are closed with no access to swimming lessons and school swimming sessions. 

Where possible, gym classes and main hall activities will continue however the level of services will vary and there is a possibility that there could be reduced opening hours at some centres. Many centres remain closed.

Council run community centres are operating as normal so far.

Pitch bookings are cancelled and Council owned pitches are closed.

Council has engaged with the Union to successfully secure an exemption for essential services such as burials at the Cemeteries.

There will be limited grass cutting and grounds maintenance works at the cemeteries as a result of the strike.

Council has engaged with the Union to successfully secure an exemption for the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages services. These services will operate as normal. To contact the registration department please email –registrars@derrystrabane.com . For urgent enquiries please telephone 02871 253253 and ask for the Registry Office. 

To view all the details relating to the changes to services and to access the relevant online forms please visit www.derrystrabane.com/ district-registration

The public are advised that the civic offices at Strand Road Derry and Derry Road Strabane remain open to the public and Council can be contacted directly at 028 71 253253.

Council’s Museums and Visitor Services at the Guildhall and Tower Museum, Derry and Alley Theatre, Strabane are operating as normal.

All information is updated on the website at https://www.derrystrabane. com/Strike-Action  and communicated regularly via the Councils social media channels.