Laura Sharman 18 November 2020

District council workers agree to strike next month

Up to 1,000 workers at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are set to strike following a row about pay and conditions.

Four trade unions - Unite, GMB, NIPSA and SIPTU – said staff will strike in the run-up to Christmas after the council’s chief executive failed to deal with the workers’ concerns or meet directly with the union representatives.

A statement said: ‘Council workers are aware that COVID-19 has made 2020 a really hard year for the community in Newry, Mourne and Down. It is with regret that we are being forced to take this action in order to improve our pay and protect our terms and conditions.

’Although there will be limited action in December, our members will be escalating the dispute if the issues are not resolved, in January 2021. It is in the management’s hands to resolve this dispute.’

The council said it had been working with the trade union over a period of time, and its chief executive has attended a series of meetings with them.

A statement from the council said: 'Taking into account the impact of COVID-19, the council has been considering the implementation of a voluntary severance scheme which would offer a generous redundancy package well above statutory redundancy pay. Along with an enhanced redundancy payment, those employees aged over 55 but below normal retirement age will also receive their remaining pension benefits if they are accepted for voluntary redundancy.

'At the same time, the council has a responsibility to spend public money in the most responsible manner possible, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic when public finances are stretched, and the private sector is contracting and experiencing significant unemployment.'

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Chief Executive

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation
up to £165,000
Ebbsfleet is one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration projects, a 21st-century Garden City Ebbsfleet, Kent
Recuriter: Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Virtual School Inclusion Support Officer

Essex County Council
£32768.0000 - £38550.0000 per annum
Virtual School Inclusion Support OfficerPermanent, Term Time£32,768 to £38,550 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Business Development Officer

Essex County Council
£36341.0000 - £42754.0000 per annum
Senior Business Development Officer - Integrated Passenger Transport UnitFixed Term, Full Time£36,341 to £42,754 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Adults Social Worker - Neighbourhood Team

Essex County Council
£37185 - £50081 per annum + Flexible Working, Hybrid Working
Interview dates
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Investment Marketing and Web Officer CDC

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
The postholder should be experienced in planning social media activity, refreshing web content and analysing their impact. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner