Dear Colleague,
STRIKE - 18 JANUARY 2024
As you will be aware, NIPSA members across the Health Service, Education Authority and the Civil Service will engage in strike action tomorrow alongside trade union colleagues from all unions across the public sector.
Almost 40,000 NIPSA members will be affected by the action in relation to fair pay, safe staffing and proper funding for public services.
NIPSA will have over 200 picket lines in all areas. You will know that due to the Translink workers strike, there will be no public transport and frozen roads will be untreated. For those reasons, I am asking members to attend a picket line nearest to you if you cannot make it your own place of work.
I would also encourage members to make every effort to attend the rallies and protests which are detailed below but please take care travelling.
This strike action is the biggest ever seen in Northern Ireland and it is helping to change the narrative and ensure that public sector pay and recurrent funding for services are at the top of the political agenda.
It is essential therefore that we keep this pressure up and keep the focus on NIPSA’s key goals which are: ending the economic sanctions; paying public servants the wages they deserve; and properly funding public services now and into the future.
NIPSA will be holding protest events with photo and media opportunities at the following location and times:
- Secretary of State’s office in Erskine House, Donegal Square North, Belfast at 10:00am
- Stormont Estate, Prince of Wales Avenue, Newtownards Road at 9:00am
- Orchard House, 40 Foyle Street, Derry/Londonderry at 10:00am
This action will then culminate with a rally of all the Trade Unions at 12:00pm at Belfast City Hall and in Guildhall Square, with speakers from NIPSA at both locations.
NIPSA speakers will also be attending rallies in the locations and at the times listed below:
- Enniskillen, Townhall, 1:00pm
- Ballymena, Harmony Hub (the Bandstand), 10:00am
- Omagh, Courthouse, 1:00pm
- Magherafelt, The Diamond, 11:00am
- Cookstown, Old Post Office, 1:00pm
Let’s make this strike day an overwhelming success and send a clear message to the Secretary of State and the political decision makers – Enough is Enough, Fair Pay Now!
If you have any questions relating to the strike action or the details of your workplace picket, please contact your Branch Secretary.
Yours sincerely