Translink: Bus and rail strikes suspended after latest pay offer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68398267

A 72-hour strike by bus and train workers in Northern Ireland, planned for later this week, has been suspended.

The Unite, GMB and Siptu unions had notified Translink that they would take the action on 27, 28 and 29 February.

However, following talks on Sunday the unions said there had been an improved pay offer from Translink.

The three public transport unions said they will now ballot their membership on the new offer.

In a statement, they said: “Pay negotiations between the transport unions and Translink management were reconvened today [Sunday] following the rejection of an initial pay offer by management on Thursday [22 February].

“Following the receipt of an improved pay offer for all Translink employees workforce reps suspended the planned 72-hour strike action set for 00:01 on Tuesday (27 February).”

It is understood it could be later in the week before the outcome of the ballot of workers is known.
Health and transport

The British government is expected to release a £3.3bn package now that power sharing has been restored at Stormont, about £580m of which is to settle public-sector pay claims.

On 18 January, 16 trade unions and tens of thousands of public sector workers took part in one of Northern Ireland’s largest strikes, affecting many sectors including transport and health.

Public transport workers in Northern Ireland cancelled a strike that would have brought bus and rail services to a halt on 15 February.

That was to give political leaders space to make an improved pay offer, unions said.

by HeWasDeadAllAlong