Northern Ireland strike: transport unions warn of a 'likely' further FOUR days of action

Up to 2,500 bus and train workers are set for another walkout next month, it emerged today (Tuesday).

Public transport trade unions GMB, Unite and SIPTU, said they would be notifying Translink of a further planned strike on February 1.

But they warned this would be the first of a "likely four further days of strike action to be taken in February."

They said they were staging the action "in anger that Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris has not released funding for public transport services to allow a cost of living pay increase. "

Peter Macklin, GMB Regional Organiser, said:

“Chris Heaton-Harris’ behaviour towards to workers, public services and indeed the public has been nothing short of disgraceful.

“His attempts to weaponise the funding of public services and pay have backfired leaving him increasingly isolated.

“He is solely responsible for the current wave of strike action – he must release the funds which he is withholding from workers and public services.”

Last Thursday nearly 170,000 workers staged a 24-hour stoppage - the biggest public sector strike in Northern Ireland's recent history