'Real terms pay cut' results in local industrial action

There will be disruption to council services across County Derry next week following the announcement of seven days' industrial action.

Unite the Union have instructed members to undertake strike action which will affect all eleven of Northern Ireland's councils from Monday March 21.

The Education Authority, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, North West Regional College, Belfast Metropolitan College, St Columb’s College, South Eastern Regional College, Lumen Christi College and the Northern Regional College are also set to be affected.

Strike action after Unite members rejected a pay offer from local government employers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland of 1.75% for 2021-22.

The union have said the offer represents a 'real terms' pay cut and comes after eleven years of pay freezes.

Gareth Scott

Unite's Lead Regional Officer for local authorities, Gareth Scott, said the strike ballot confirmed members' determination to secure a 'decent' cost-of-living increase.

“The majorities in favour of strike action in councils, the education authority and the housing executive were exceptional; our members are calling time on real terms pay cuts,” he said.

“Management must now engage with us to identify how they can address our members’ pay expectations within the NJC framework so as to avoid what is likely to be a disruptive dispute affecting council services, school transport and housing executive maintenance.”

All three local councils have announced that the action will mean disruption to a number of services, with Mid Ulster District Council saying bin collections and leisure centres will be affected.

Brown bins will not be emptied in the district this week, while Greenvale and Cookstown leisure centres will be closed on Monday March 21, with swimming availability to be reviewed on a daily basis.

Fitness classes at the two centres will also be cancelled for next week.

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Councillors were described as 'carrying on like they were in a playground'.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to our residents by the industrial action and will keep the situation under review as the week progresses,” said a Council spokesperson.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will have no bin collections during next week, while household recycling centres will also remain closed.

The Council have encouraged all householders to 'make full use of their blue and brown bins to recycle as much waste as possible to maximise bin capacity'.

“We recognise the adverse impact of Unite The Union’s actions and would like to reassure residents and customers that full service provision will resume as soon as possible,” said a spokesperson.

In an update issued on Friday March 18, Derry City and Strabane District Council said they also anticipated disruption to bin collections, street cleansing, leisure facilities, public parks, gym classes and pitch bookings.

They also said they had 'secured an exemption' for cemetery and registration of deaths, births and marriages.

Derry district has highest homeless rate in the North

Department for Communities data showed the rate per 1,000 of population for each district.