Hundreds of council workers begin industrial action in Newry, Mourne and Down

Hundreds of council workers in Newry, Mourne and Down are taking part in industrial action which started on Monday.

Trades unions, Siptu, Nipsa, Unite and GMB, approved the action short of a strike after staff and management failed to reach an agreement over pay and working conditions.

Some of the services to be disrupted are bin collections and leisure provision.

The action will last for two weeks, between Monday July 17 and Sunday July 30 (inclusive).

Unision say unions have lost confidence in council management.

Spokesperson for the trade unions, Kevin Kelly said: “Members of all four trade unions at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have lost confidence in management. They are asking our lowest paid members to take pay cuts during a cost of living crisis, they are making staff redundant and offering severance packages while at the same time they are recruiting staff into similar positions.

“They need to know this will not be tolerated by our members and we will take whatever action is required to ensure our members suffer no further hardship than already faces all workers at this time.”

Meanwhile council management say they want a solution to the action.

A statement from the council said: "Council Management and Trade Unions have held regular meetings assisted by the Labour Relations Agency with a view to resolving this dispute and Management remains committed to a resolution. Negotiations continue, again facilitated by the Labour Relations Agency, which is liaising with both parties to agree a further meeting date in early August.”