'Community sector workers concerned about their redundancy rights'

Large numbers of community sector workers in Derry are currently on protective notice due to the discontinuation of EU funding for their projects which resulted from Brexit. 

The workers are on fixed term contracts which will terminate at the end of the financial year (March 31).

Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Shaun Harkin (People Before Profit) said he had been contacted by a number of community sector workers concerned about their redundancy rights.

Cllr Harkin said: “Large numbers of community sector workers are currently on protective notice as their fixed term contracts terminate at the end of the financial year, 31 March.

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"Unfortunately, there is a lot of disinformation regarding redundancy rights for community sector workers. 

"If you have been working for over two years for the same employer, you will be owed statutory redundancy pay if you are made redundant. It does not matter if you work for a charity. It does not matter if you are on a fixed term contract. It does not matter if you have been funded by different funders. 

"It does not matter if your organisation claims they have no reserves. It is the law that you must be paid redundancy. If your contract ends on March 31 and you have not been put on protective notice, contact your trade union or Labour Relations.”

Cllr Harkin said the community sector played “a vital role providing a wide range of services” on which many people. 

He added: “However, it's also the case that pay, terms and conditions for many  community sector workers, who often go above and beyond, are not what they should be.

"This can change when more workers join trade unions and demand better pay, along with increased and guaranteed funding for the sector. 

"In Community sector workplaces with strong trade union membership and representation, increased numbers of workers are entitled to enhanced redundancy pay. 

"I encourage community sector workers to join the workplace UNISON Community Branch.

"All workers deserve pay rises in line with inflation along with good terms and conditions.  There is an awakening across working class communities for better pay, rights and better public services."