People Before Profit Councillor Shaun Harkin has slammed Stormont’s public sector pay offer of five per cent as just not good enough.
Said the Foyleside councillor: “Public sector workers deserve more than the Stormont Executive is presently putting on the table.
“It’s a disappointing offer for people going above and beyond everyday of the week.
“With inflation running above 4 percent, a 5 percent pay rise offer amounts in actuality to a rise of less than 1 percent.
“The additional offer of an unconsolidated £1,500 only came about because of a 3-day strike threat by Translink workers.
“It shouldn’t be forgotten that earlier in this financial year inflation was above 10 percent.
“Households continue to deal with higher food prices, mortgage rate hikes, rental cost increases, car insurance rises, Council rate hikes and many other cost of living pressures.
“MLAs who talked up getting back on the Stormont Executive to deal with fair pay should have made clear to workers joining the January 18th mass strike that this would be the offer.
“I doubt it would have been cheered at the mass rallies in Derry and across the North.
“It won’t undo the financial losses families have suffered over the last couple of years, never mind the last couple of decades.
“It’s a further insult that Executive Ministers aren’t even pretending this is even an negotiation with trade unions.
“Public sector workers should send the Stormont Executive a clear message that they deserve better by rejecting this offer.”
