Northern Ireland

More than 4,000 civil servants in strike over pay and conditions

nipsa protest in Belfast picture by Hugh Russell.
nipsa protest in Belfast picture by Hugh Russell. nipsa protest in Belfast picture by Hugh Russell.

AROUND 4,247 civil servants have staged a one-day strike over their pay and working conditions in what trade unions have said is a "fightback" against Tory austerity.

Major rallies were held in Belfast and Derry, with noisy picket lines forming at government buildings from early on Friday morning.

People claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) were excused from having to sign on yesterday, with all benefit payments issued as usual.

Newry MOT centre closed without warning, with the Department for Infrastructure contacting affected drivers to reschedule tests over the weekend.

The industrial action follows a vote by Nipsa union members who say they have now had below-inflation pay rise for nine years in a row.

Most civil servants are in line for a 1.25 per cent pay rise for the 2018/2019 financial year, with Nipsa saying this will not keep up with the cost of living because inflation is at two per cent.

The lowest-paid civil servants are expected to receive three per cent.

Owen Reidy, from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said it is "a situation that is not sustainable", with a tenth of the public-sector workforce receiving less than a real living wage.

The Department of Finance (DoF) said: "Following extensive negotiations with trade unions on the 2018 pay award, they rejected the pay offer made. Steps have therefore been taken to implement the 2018 pay award."

It will be paid to staff on Monday.

"DoF believes the pay award is fair in the context of the challenging financial environment the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) is operating in with finite resources available and increasing pressures."

Sinn Féin employment and workers rights spokesman Declan Kearney said the party supports the Nipsa action.

People Before Profit councillor Eamonn McCann said the widespread action by workers "is the beginning of a real challenge from the trade union movement".