O’Dowd vows to do ‘everything in my power’ to end transport worker pay dispute

Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister has vowed to do “everything in my power” to resolve a pay dispute behind a series of public transport strikes.

John O’Dowd met with the transport workers’ unions, GMB, Siptu, and Unite, to discuss the ongoing dispute.

Public transport workers have staged a number of strikes in Northern Ireland in recent months over pay.

Following the restoration of devolved government in the region at the weekend, the unions announced they would call off another walk out planned for February 15 to allow Stormont leaders space to make an improved pay offer.

But the unions have warned that if there is no pay offer, bus and train workers will stage a 72-hour strike from February 27.

On Thursday, Mr O’Dowd said he had had a constructive meeting with the unions.

“The move by the unions to call off next Thursday’s planned industrial action to allow time for talks is an act of good faith on their behalf,” he said.

“For my part, I will do everything within my power to help bring this matter to a speedy conclusion.

“Today’s meeting was constructive, I welcomed the opportunity to talk with the unions about this issue.”

Workers from across the public sector, including those in education, health and the civil service, took part in a major strike across Northern Ireland last month calling for pay parity with colleagues in the rest of the UK.

Mr O’Dowd said pay awards for the public sector were “high on the Executive’s agenda”.

“I am working with colleagues across the Executive to bring this matter to a successful conclusion,” he said.

“Our public services have been decimated by a decade of British Government-imposed cuts and austerity.

“Transport workers and indeed everyone working in the public sector provide essential public services and therefore should be paid accordingly. As we all know too well, the cost of just living continues to rise and so too should pay.”