Thousands of Northern Ireland civil servants are to be balloted for industrial action, it was announced today.
In a joint statement, GMB, NIPSA and Unite announced the move which will see around 16,400 workers asked to vote.
The staff work across the range of Stormont departments and are being balloted as a reaction to a “derisory” pay offer from the Department of Finance.
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It is understood all-out strike action is an option being considered by the unions.
In their joint statement, the unions said: “The action is being forced by a derisory and insulting pay offer from the Department of Finance which will see most Civil Servants receive less than 2%. Unions made clear that the offer is derisory and insulting and with inflation at 10.5% it represents a massive pay cut of more than 8.5%.
“The ballot opens today 9 February and closes on 2 March and all unions expect a significant YES vote for action. Industrial action is likely to commence in mid-March. The serious nature of this situation is reflected in the decision by the trade unions to coordinate their action for the first time. They will also coordinate action with other public and private sector workers taking similar action over pay..
Carmel Gates, NIPSA General Secretary, on behalf of the joint Trade Union Side said: “Our members are angry at how they are being treated. This is a real kick in the teeth for Civil Servants. With inflation in double figures this is a huge pay cut.
“Two-thirds of our members earn below the UK median wage and many rely on benefits to try to make ends meet. It is entirely unacceptable to treat workers who were classed as essential workers during the pandemic in this way. MPs gave themselves a £2,212 pay rise while our members are being offered £552 which is a quarter of that.”
Alan Perry, GMB Regional Organiser, added: “This derisory pay offer is an insult. In the midst of the worst cost of living crisis for a generation, no worker deserves to have their pay slashed. But this is what this offer means. We will stand with our members and fight for better. That’s why we’re balloting for strike action.”
Responding to the news, a DfI spokesperson said: “The Department recognises and regrets the NICS pay offer is below what staff and unions expect and understands unions have a duty to ballot their members in regards industrial action.
“Pay awards must be affordable in the context of each Department’s budget settlement, as set out in the Secretary of State’s Northern Ireland Budget for 2022/23. Unfortunately, the Budget position does not provide any additional scope to offer a higher pay award. The final pay offer will cost around £26.8million and is the most that is affordable in the current challenging budgetary environment.”
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