Workers take to the streets

PUBLIC sector workers across Lisburn took to the streets this week to protest against planned changes to their pension schemes.

Schools, hospitals, public transport, council and government services were all hit by the strike action on Wednesday.

Picket lines were in place at various locations in the city, including Central Services, the Lagan Valley Hospital, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Health Centre, the Bus Station and outside the Irish Linen Centre.

Nigel Gregg, the senior Unite representative at Lisburn City Council and Chairman of the Local Authority Sector Committee said he was pleased with the response.

“We had tremendous support from our own members,” said Mr Gregg. “It is the largest turn out we have ever had.

“We would like to put on record our sincere thanks to local community groups for their support during a difficult situation and members of their public for their understanding.

“We would also like to thank the Mayor Councillor Brian Heading. Alderman Paul Porter and MLA Jonathan Craig for coming to the picket line to offer their support and understanding.

“We had a very successful day from a union perspective,” he continued. “We know services were affected but we hope going forward the local community will come on board and help us.”

He added that the union hoped the day of industrial action would encourage the government to come back to the negotiating table.

“Unite remains open to meaningful engagement at all times and we hope the government will take this action on board and enter into meaningful negotiations.”

Members of the Unison union also took to the picket lines on Wednesday. Regional Secretary Patricia McKeown said: “Our members have been forced into trade disputes with their employers. These are legitimate disputes about their rights and they are standing firm. However they have also publicly declared their passionate resolve to protect our services to children, patients, students and older people in need of care.”