Thousands to take part in mass strike action

TYRONE could be brought to a standstill this Thursday as the biggest strike in almost 50 years is expected to cause widespread disruption across the North.

Dozens of schools in the county are set to close and the work of hospitals and other health facilities will be severely restricted when thousands of workers hold industrial action for pay parity.

Public sector unions including Unison, NIPSA, Unite, the Irish National Teachers Organisation and the GMB are all taking part in the day-long action.

In Omagh, hundreds are expected to march to the town centre for a mass rally in front of the courthouse at 1pm, which is being organised by the local Trades Union Council.

It comes amid ongoing serious concerns that workers have still to receive equal pay with their colleagues in England, Scotland and Wales. The political deadlock at Stormont and the failure of negotiations with the Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, is being blamed for the stalemate.

Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex and other health facilities will operate on a ‘Christmas Day’ schedule, while thousands of pupils at primary and post-primary schools will have the day off.

Health workers, teachers, bus drivers, classroom assistants and others are among those joining the action.

Arvalee School and Resource Centre will be among those schools closed.

Prinicpal, Jonathan Gray, said the disruption was expected to be ‘widespread’.

“This action is about the underfunding of our school system in Northern Ireland,” he said in a message to its school community.

‘strong message’

Andy McKane, the joint-chair of the Omagh and Fermanagh Unison branch, said the mass demonstration in Omagh would be the largest by the public sector seen locally in almost 50 years.

“We have 2,000 members who are eligible for strike action. Some people will be working to supply the same level of cover as is supplied on Christmas Day,” he said.

“Everyone after that is entitled to participate in industrial action. The teaching unions, Unite, NIPSA and the GMB are all participating – that’s more unions taking part than at any time in the past five decades.

“This industrial action will send a very strong message because the people involved are coming with one agenda of improving public sector pay and achieving equal pay in health and education. It is everyone’s interest to attend this rally, including the local community and business community.”

Omagh Trades Union Council secretary, Anton McCabe, said workers had spoken through their trade unions.

“We all need public services. We all use them regularly. On Thursday, the unions will be defending public services on behalf of everybody in our community.

“Therefore the wider public must give support. The public should also remember – public sector workers deserve fair pay. That, above all, is what Thursday will be about.”

The Department of Health, though, said it is ‘extremely concerned’ about the potential impact of the planned industrial action.