Effect of Translink and Ambulance Service strikes on Larne

Translink staff and ambulance workers who are members of the GMB union will join Unite’s ambulance members in industrial action this May.
Pickets outside the Moyle Hospital Grounds during the recent  strike. INLT 11-206-AMPickets outside the Moyle Hospital Grounds during the recent  strike. INLT 11-206-AM
Pickets outside the Moyle Hospital Grounds during the recent strike. INLT 11-206-AM

On April 23, GMB’s representatives for Translink employees agreed to two weeks of discontinuous industrial action from 12.01am tomorrow (Friday May 1) until 11.59pm on Friday May 15 over proposed public sector cuts.

The union also gave notice to the five NHS Trusts that members would be taking part in action short of strike due to pay disputes for two weeks, beginning on April 27. GMB ambulance workers commenced a two-week overtime ban on April 28.

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Meanwhile, Unite’s ambulance service members will join Translink workers for a twenty-four hour stoppage on May 6. In addition, its union members across the health service will refuse to work unpaid overtime from today (April 30) until May 10.

The latest industrial action follows strike action on March 13 by members of the Unite, Unison and GMB trade unions working in Translink, health, education, and the civil service.

GMB’s Regional Organiser Michael Mulholland commented: “GMB want active trade union engagement on the working out of the broad impact of the proposed cuts and how these impact on everyone not just public sector workers.”

Unite’s National Officer with responsibility for health, Kevin McAdam, said that the union had agreed a programme of strike action in pursuit of an outstanding pay claim for 2014-15, the lack of an offer for the current year and proposed health service closures.

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“Healthcare workers are outraged at the failure of the DHSSPS to respond to the need for a fair and equitable pay rise,” he commented.

A Northern Trust spokesperson stated: “The Northern Health and Social Care Trust has put contingencies in place for the planned industrial action.

“The Trust is working closely with Trade Unions to ensure services will continue to be provided and minimal disruption to outpatient services is anticipated. Where appointments do need to be cancelled the Trust will contact those service users who are affected.”

A Translink spokesperson said that passengers “could be inconvenienced” as a result of the strike on May 6 and that the company was seeking to urgently meet with Unite.