The Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), the largest trade union in Northern Ireland, has opened its Annual Delegate Conference today at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, bringing together over 220 delegates from across the public sector.
The three-day conference, running until Thursday 28 May, will set the union’s policy agenda for the year ahead on pay, terms and conditions, and the protection of vital public services.
Taking place against the backdrop of serious budget pressures and funding challenges, delegates will debate more than 40 motions covering issues including pay and pensions, staffing shortages, and the long-term sustainability of public services.
Opening the conference, NIPSA President Tanya Killen said:
“Public services cannot function on yearly crisis management and short-term budgets. When funding is cut and workers are denied fair pay, those are political choices - and we will challenge them.”
Key discussions at this year’s conference include unprecedented pressures in the Health and Social Care system, alongside public sector pay, the cost-of-living crisis, staffing shortages, and the growing strain on frontline services.
NIPSA General Secretary Carmel Gates said:
“NIPSA has delivered a strong year for members, securing a 6% pay increase for civil servants, progress on pay parity in health, and improvements in terms and conditions in education. We have achieved this through tough negotiations—and when necessary, by standing with our members on picket lines.”
Representing 47 ,000 workers, NIPSA said decisions taken at the conference will play a key role in shaping the future direction of public services and the union’s campaigning priorities over the coming year.