Bus and train strikes will go ahead before Christmas, unions confirm

Three further strikes by public transport workers in Northern Ireland will go ahead before Christmas, trade unions have confirmed.

Buses and trains will be affected by the action on December 15, 16 and 22.

The industrial action follows a previous one-day strike by bus and rail workers earlier this month.

Members of the Unite, GMB and Siptu unions are taking part in the action as part of a long-running pay dispute.

The unions have said all bus and rail services across Northern Ireland will be halted on Friday and Saturday.

Unite union general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The failure of the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris to intervene and provide any pay increase has left Translink workers no alternative but to escalate industrial action.

“All too often Translink workers are on the front line of social disorder or unrest now in the midst of the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, they are being told to accept an 11% real-terms pay cut.

“That is completely unacceptable. They continue to have the full support of Unite in their fight.”

GMB regional organiser for Translink Peter Macklin said: “At the beginning of the month, Chris Heaton-Harris was denying he had any powers to deliver a pay increase to workers then earlier this week he tabled a completely inadequate financial package which he claimed would be enough for a public sector pay increase.

“While that has been universally rejected – his actions show that he has had the power all along to intervene and address our members’ pay claim.”

He added: “Our members are not pawns in a game of chess. They cannot be denied a cost-of-living increase because of a political stalemate.

“They deserve and need a pay increase. Responsibility for this strike lies wholly with the Secretary of State.”

Siptu regional organiser Niall McNally said: “The impact of the industrial action by public transport workers was the driving force for this week’s political developments and confirms the strength of workers when we stand together.

“The Secretary of State has shown he can move so let’s see him provide the funding needed for Translink to both improve our public transport services and deliver a cost-of-living increase for workers.

“We are calling on civil society to get behind the public transport workers.

“This strike is the cutting edge of the fight for proper funding for all public services in Northern Ireland, funding that will provide decent pay for all public sector workers and end the staffing crisis.

“The clock is ticking for Mr Heaton-Harris – he needs to move and address our members’ pay concerns before we further escalate strike action in the New Year.”

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: “It is for the relevant Northern Ireland department to make final decisions on pay policies.

“The UK Government has no authority to negotiate pay in Northern Ireland.

“The Secretary of State has invited representatives from the five largest parties in Northern Ireland to discuss how the Government will work with them to stabilise the finances of a returning Executive.

“These discussions are centred on how the UK Government can help with and support sustainability in Northern Ireland’s public finances for when a Northern Ireland Executive is restored.”