Northern Ireland strike: public sector workers begin day of action
Teachers, nurses and bus drivers are among those on the picket lines
Last updated 18th Jan 2024
Picket lines were in place early today (Thursday) as public sector workers gathered for Northern Ireland's biggest-ever strike.
Our reporters are in Belfast city centre, Stormont, Londonderry and Newry covering the picket lines and demonstrations.
Later there will mass demonstrations at Belfast City Hall and the Guildhall in Derry.
Parades, rallies and demonstrations are scheduled to take place across the day.
Carmel Gates from Nipsa said that strike action being taken by public sector workers across Northern Ireland is "just the beginning".
She said: "My members are angry and they are not going to back down.
"This is not something which is a temporary fight. They are so angry at how they have been treated.
"This is the beginning, we will escalate."
She added: "The Secretary of State needs to know that, this is not the end.
"We need him to go forward now with a budget and we need a budget which is going to sustain our services into the future."