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NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY Chris Heaton-Harris has been challenged over pay awards for public sector workers as another strike brings transport in the region to a standstill today.
Bus and rail services in Northern Ireland are being halted for a third day in just over a week on one of the busiest shopping days of the year, just before Christmas.
Members of the Unite, GMB and Siptu unions employed by public transport company Translink started the action just after midnight on Friday.
It follows a two-day stoppage last week and has brought all bus and rail services to a standstill.
Further public transport strike dates are expected to be announced in the new year.
The dispute is over pay, with unions arguing for a cost-of-living pay increase.
The unions said they were told Translink could “only offer a pay freeze” due to the budget set by Heaton-Harris earlier this year in the absence of locally elected ministers.
Meanwhile, there will be a “generalised day of action” by public sector workers, including health workers, midwives, radiographers, teachers and civil servants on 18 January over pay.
Political parties took part in talks with Heaton-Harris earlier in the week where they were told of a £3.3 billion (about €3.8 billion) financial package from the UK Government which could cover public sector pay awards if devolved government was resurrected.
But the DUP, who are refusing to participate in the Stormont Assembly until unionist concerns over post-Brexit trading arrangements are addressed, has indicated it remains in discussions with the Government.
‘Cruelly dangling funding’
GMB regional organiser Peter Macklin accused Heaton-Harris of “cruelly dangling funding for a pay increase in front of public sector workers”.
“He is seeking to politicise the issue of public sector pay and the proper funding of public sector services,” he said.
“Workers face an 11% real-terms pay cut, that is not something that should be leveraged in negotiations or made a divisive issue. Adequate funding for public transport and for a cost-of-living increase for workers is something that must be provided by right.”
In a statement, Translink said none of its bus or train services will operate today due to industrial action, and full timetables will resume on Saturday.
“We remain fully committed to entering constructive pay negotiations. However, this can only be done once the budget issue has been resolved,” they said.
“This situation impacts all public sector workers and needs to be resolved at the Northern Ireland Executive level.
“We have urged our colleagues to reconsider and pause this action in light of the social and economic impact it will have at this time.
“Passenger information is available through the media, on the website, through social media, in stations, and on buses and trains. The contact centre will also remain open 028 90 666630.
“We apologise to all our passengers for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Good to see the US adopting this type of system, the lottery was a bit of a joke in fairness, just so random and seemed like a lazy/handy way of doing things for them. Seems really tough to immigrate into the US nowadays.
That’s true, I was fortunate enough to win a green card through the lottery system…but it was completely random, you could be a computer scientist from Bogota or a sheep herder from Armenia, it made no sense really. This seems like a much better system.
Even when you got your random green card in the lottery you still had to attend the Embassy for an interview so possibly a lot of weeding out was done then?
That’s true, but all you required was a job offer in official headed paper from a company and that was it…easy to make one up if you had to!
Not necessary if you have degree or/and masters in an employable profession. Subtle weeding out.
At the time I didn’t have a degree and went with my letter of an offer of employment which was acceptable. If I was bullshitting I would have got away with it, how I know was because it was my friends company and there was no check.
I am guessing that may have a while go? Perhaps they check more throughly now?
It was 2001. Maybe they do. Border Control has stiffened considerably since 2005…so maybe you’re right. I moved home in 2006.
Just as a matter of interest, if you don’t mind me asking. Just wondering why you decided to move back home. Don’t answer if you dont want I know it’s a personal question.
Ha! Youre close enough Sean!!!
I find I’m asking myself that question a lot lately McBab….I spent a few years there and decided to move back, family I suppose had a bit to do with it. I had a great time there, really lived it. If you are willing to work in the States, you will get on fine. The working man is rewarded. If you want to sit on your hole, you don’t eat, simple as. A policy they could do with having a look at here. To be honest, I would move back in the morn, but my wife would not… Added to a mortgage, young kids etc here its just not an option unfortunately….
Thanks for the reply Jimmy. So refreshing to have a civilised conversation on this site!
No worries McBab
Seems the age category doesn’t make sense It is a kind of discrimination
I agree. Not sure why this ism is ok and gender and race isms are deemed unacceptable.
Err.. Because they prefer to let in young people? I’d get no points for age myself but get it and have no problem with it.
Would it be ok to let in just white people? Or just men?
It makes perfect sense for them too give preference to younger people. Younger people will be in the work force for longer, thus generating taxes and revenue for the government longer.
It’s logical to limit immigration to those who can be more productive and and bring value to the country, rather than become a burden. It is a transaction, not a gift: we let you in, you came and work hard and (possibly, at least initially) cheap, we all benefit in the end.
Above all though, it is their country, their rules. They don’t have to adhere to our political correctness, as much as we might feel righteous about our opinion on it.
It’s called independence.
It’s really sad to see some of us calling African Shit holes …….. Some of us are here legally just for studies and we are benefiting this country by paying huge school fees
Am alway heartbroken when people think that all Africans are Asylum seekers or refugees :-( and i remember when i first arrived in Ireland and stayed for 3 months someone whom i don’t know sent me a text saying “You are fraudulent Asylum Seeker Scamming our country …. Go back to Africa”
it’s really sad.
Unfortuntely ISSA a lot of africans are absolutely bleeding this country for what its worth. Its a national disgrace and no one has the balls to to stand up to it for fear of being targeted as being racist/bigot etc. I dont believe anyone has a problem with genuine students and workers.
I do agree with you Jason …… That some of Africans have damaged our image thurs making everyone think that all African are here to Abuse the system.
Personally am ashamed to be black coz av experienced hard times since i came here for my studies with other people brandishing me names lol.
Not all africans are out to scam this country or take it for a ride. I have the pleasure of knowing some who are really successful here.
But as Jason pointed out there is alot more scamming than actually been good citizens.
Until that trend reverses the African people who are not out to scam etc are going to be labeled with the same tag.
I do get your point …… But am just puzzled on how those people manage to come in Ireland and abuse the system lol.
I remember when i was applying for my Irish student Visa back home in Kenya i really passed through various difficulty process to get my Visa and i had to produce loads and loads of documents and went through serious vetting and on top of that i was required to do an International English proficiency test to prove that i can speak English lol
Does it mean that some countries get their visas so easily???? coz some are here and ain’t speaking English and there are the one tarnishing our name here
Issa . Quite a few africans come in as refugees depending on the country in Africa.
Lock up the illegals.
+1
Nope, just send em home
about time!
Well this is good news for the irish a nation of hard working people when we go to other country’s we dont go their to sponge of that said country we work hard integrate into their society’s spend our money their while still retaining out culture and having the “craic”
Will this cover the ones this October?
have your say