Minister ‘determined’ to see negotiations on public sector pay begin soon

Stormont’s Finance Minister has said she is “determined” to see talks on public sector pay commence as soon as possible.

Caoimhe Archibald met civil service trade unions during her first week in post.

Earlier this week, she met the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.

It comes after public sector workers – including health staff, education workers and civil servants – staged one of the largest strikes in recent history in Northern Ireland over a delayed pay award.

The UK Government offered a financial package on the resumption of the Stormont administration which it said could fund the public sector pay awards.

However, Ms Archibald said the sum falls short of what is required.

She met the unions, Nipsa, FDA, Unite and GMB – which represent 24,000 civil servants – on Wednesday morning.

Speaking afterwards, the minister pledged to work with the rest of the Executive to ensure all public sector workers receive a pay award.

“As minister with responsibility for the civil service, I met this morning with trade unions who represent our 24,000 workers. I reinforced my determination to see pay negotiations commence as soon as possible,” she said.

“The amount included for pay in the December financial package only provides funding for one year and falls short of what is required. Given the cost-of-living crisis and household budgets being stretched it is vital public sector workers do not have to continue to wait for their pay award.”

Ms Archibald added: “I will continue to press Treasury for clarity on the specifics of the package offered and a longer-term solution to public sector funding that is not at the expense of the stabilisation of public services and finances.”

Meanwhile, Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has said he will meet transport workers’ unions on Thursday.

The unions earlier this week said they will postpone a planned strike on February 15 to give Stormont leaders “space to make an improved pay offer”.