The outcome of the Supreme Court ruling (Agnew) on the absence of certain payments in periods of annual and sick leave will raise significant expectation among many thousands of workers. Many cases across the public and private sectors have been stayed pending the outcome of this case. The Supreme Court Judgment which will now mean backpay can be sought for thousands of workers potentially going back to 1998. The cost to the PSNI alone will be at least 40 million pounds.
UNISON members across the whole Education Authority have had your say. You have voted in your thousands to stand up and be counted. You have decided to launch an industrial action campaign. You want pay justice!
As schools return after the summer break, the scale of the financial squeeze imposed by the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris on NI’s Education system is apparent. What is additionally concerning is the inability of devolved government departments to use monitoring rounds to redistribute funding from other sections of the state to the Department of Education and the Education Authority NI as a result of the suspension of the NI Executive.
UNISON members working for the Education Authority will be taking to the picket line in the coming weeks. Thousands of workers have voted to strike and for action short of strike in a dispute that has seen them have to wait for up to 3 years to have their pay levels adjusted to reflect their work and worth.
Over 90% have voted for both strike and action short of strike.
The results are in. Thousands of UNISON members have voted to take strike action and action short of strike. More than 90% of you who voted have voted yes to both questions.
The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation, Esther Lynch, has sent her solidarity to unions taking part in the 48 hour strick action on 21-22 September. Lynch said the strike "underscores the collective determination of these workers to secure fair wages, improved working conditions and a brighter future for themselves and their communities."
UNISON members across hundreds of schools are currently balloting on using industrial action in their dispute with the Education Authority.
Thousands of classroom assistants, school cooks, cleaners, transport and admin staff will cast their votes. While our members await the resolution of the UK wide NJC 2023 pay claim which contractually uplifts pay, the cost of living crisis has hit them hard.
UNISON members in the Health service in Northern Ireland will be taking to the picket lines next week.
On Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd of September during a period of 48 hours ambulance crews, nurses, health care assistants, pharmacists, radiographers, porters, admin and technical staff, cleaners and catering will be on strike. Payroll staff will strike for a shorter period to ensure their co-workers receive their pay on time - a decision highly commended by their union colleagues.
It is with deep regret that we have learned of the death of our esteemed member Edna Magill, former Branch Secretary Craigavon Health Branch and UNISON Regional Committee and Health Service group member.
We thank her for the significant contribution to our union and to the members she served with unwavering commitment. On behalf of UNISON Regional Committee and staff we extend our heartfelt condolences to her family.
Today in Armagh, trade union leaders representing working people in all professions and occupations met to discuss the ongoing squeeze faced by everyone in Northern Ireland compounded by inadequate and insulting pay offers and the financial decisions of the NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris MP.
Speaking after the meeting, ICTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy said:
