Pregnant women are being forced out of their jobs as part of the worst alleged gender discrimination in the North, it was claimed today.

Civil servants in the North have voted to go on strike against plans to make them work an extra five years before collecting their pensions.

The British government has put in place measures to alleviate the backlog in MOT tests caused by the civil service strike in Northern Ireland, officials said today.

Striking civil servants were preparing to step up industrial action in the North today.

Northern Ireland Minister Barry Gardiner today called on the Civil Service union to ballot its members on its latest pay offer.

Striking civil servants in Northern Ireland will continue their bitter pay dispute with the British government after turning down a fresh pay offer, their union said today.

Union chiefs have warned against expectations of an early settlement to civil service strike action in Northern Ireland.

Industrial and employment tribunals are being postponed today as thousands of Northern Ireland civil servants intensify industrial action.

Almost 2,500 staff at social security offices across Northern Ireland are to strike later today over plans to extend opening hours.

Nearly 1,000 Belfast health workers were today staging a one-day strike after a death threat was issued to a member of staff.

Intense efforts tonight failed to stop nearly 1,000 Belfast health workers staging a one-day strike after a death threat was issued to a member of staff.