Northern Ireland to see 'biggest day of strike action in more than a decade'
Teachers and civil servants are walking out
Northern Ireland is about to see its biggest day of strike action in more than a decade, according to unions.
Most schools are closed as teachers and civil servants walk out in a row over pay and funding.
They want action from the Secretary of State but he says those decisions should be up to Stormont.
Rallies will take place in Belfast and Londonderry later.
NIPSA, the largest union here, will be joined on the picket lines by members of PCS, GMB, UNITE and all five teachers’ unions, UTU, NASUWT, INTO, NEU and NAHT, with the National Association of Head Teachers striking for the first time in its history in relation to pay.
Ulster Teachers Union General Secretary Jacquie White said “It is with the heaviest of hearts we feel we’ve been forced into this as we have until now used every other means possible to improve things for children and teachers here yet no-one seems willing or able to listen.”
A statement from NISPA said, “Today’s action will bring the civil service and education to a halt and is the opening of a campaign of industrial action designed to bring the government to the negotiating table.”
“The strike will take place against a backdrop of a sharp decline in the real value of public service pay, the Northern Ireland public service budget crisis and overwhelming cost of living crunch hitting working class communities. Picket lines will be in place across Northern Ireland.”
An NIO spokesperson said, “The Secretary of State has no authority to negotiate pay in Northern Ireland. The pressures affecting Northern Ireland public services demonstrate the pressing need to have locally accountable political leaders in place to take fundamental decisions on Northern Ireland's public services and deliver better outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.”
"NI's public finances are not on a sustainable footing. It remains the Secretary of State's hope that the parties will recognise the importance of getting back to work so that an Executive is in place to take the long-neglected and necessary decisions to address the challenges facing the public sector at this critical time.”
"We also recognise the need for Stormont departments to have budget clarity to help get spending under control and have provided indicative budget totals. We hope to be in a position to agree on a final budget position as soon as possible."
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