The Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network (NIAPN) welcomes the historic public sector strike this Thursday, January 18.
Workers have balloted to take industrial action with an unprecedented level of coordination across the public sector, in transport, health, education, and civil service.
A total of 15 unions representing over 150,000 workers are coming together to take collective action.
Unions are demanding a pay increase, both to ensure parity between their pay in NI and the rest of GB, but also to reduce the inflationary cost of living pressures.
A NIAPN spokesperson said, “The Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, has the money to resolve the pay dispute, but refuses to release it.
“Money should be made available immediately. It is incredulous that the Secretary of State is holding workers to ransom, claiming their pay dispute can only be realised with a functioning Executive.
“Workers across Northern Ireland are not pawns.
“This cynical tactic is tiresome, degrading and pathetic. Not only does the SOS have the money for workers pay, but NIAPN calls on the SOS to find the money to reverse the draconian budget cuts that have impacted the most vulnerable in society, particularly children and those with disabilities.
“The reality is that public services have been run down by years of austerity and our health service, education sector and public sector in general is on its knees.
“There is no safe staffing. Workers are leaving in their droves. Workers deserve better.
2To alleviate poverty the government must enact policies that ensure fair pay for workers, better working conditions and a strong, effective public sector, with quality public services.
“The workers standing up on January 18 are fighting for exactly this.
“This general strike will bring communities together, highlighting the need for solidarity across our diverse society.
“Households cannot afford to continue down the path of low pay, poor working conditions and a gutting of our services.
“After all, the workers in our public sector are also users of these same public services and know all too well the danger of under-investment.
“Continuing on the path of under-investment, low wages, and sub-par services will destroy the social fabric of our society and drive more people further into poverty.
“NIAPN applauds workers across the public sector for making the hard decision to take industrial action to mount pressure on the government to treat our workers with dignity and fund our workers and services fairly.
“NIAPN encourages all of our member organisations to support the strikes. Attend picket lines and rallies in your localities.
“Raise your voice to support the workers and the public services they provide. Use the weight of your organisations to support the workers and the improved public services they are fighting for.”
Time / location of January 18 strikes and rallies:
Derry (Guildhall Sq) 12:00 – feeders from Altnagelvin (10:30) & Sainsbury/Fort George (11.00).
Belfast (City Hall) 12 noon – feeder parades from BCH (11am), RVH (11:15), Mater (11:30).
Omagh (Courthouse) 1pm – March at 12.30 from Crevenagh Rd Park and Ride.
Enniskillen (Town Hall) 1pm – feeder parade from Brook Park, meet from 12, march off 12:30.
Magherafelt (Diamond) 11am
Cookstown (Old post office/Main St) 1pm.
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