Strike action next week across Northern Ireland and Workers Demand Better Public Meeting in Ballymena

21 April 2023Trade Unions across almost every branch of the NI public sector will be taking industrial action next week, as public servants have voted with their feet in protest at the inadequate pay offers being made by Westminster politicians unelected by any voter from Northern Ireland.Strike action is being taken in every school on Wednesday 26 April, as five unions representing teachers and principals will take strike action for better wages and respect from their employers. Like unions taking action recently in the Health service, teachers have no minister with which to negotiate, and are calling on NIO ministers to treat all education workers with the respect they deserve.As an indication of the strong feelings among all levels in education, for the first time in its 100 year existence, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) are going on strike.On the same day, civil servants are taking strike action in response to a pay offer which is far below the spikes in the cost of living over the last year. This will affect every devolved government department as well as UK-wide services such as passports and customs.The centrepiece of the day’s actions will be a major lunchtime rally at Belfast City Hall at 1pm which will feature speakers from striking unions:

PCS

Unite

INTO

UTU

GMB

NIPSA

NASUWT

NAHT

On the same week, several other unions are continuing taking Action Short of Strike Action, such as work-to-rules, in the NHS, local government, road services and schools.On Tuesday evening, the context for this unprecedented wave of industrial action will be outlined at a public meeting in Ballymena. The meeting ,in the Braid Arts Centre, is the latest in a series under the banner of NIC-ICTU’s campaign, ‘Workers Demand Better’. There will be speakers from local trade unionists, from Belfast Trades Council and ICTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy.