NI civil servants intensify industrial action

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

Lunchtime rallies are being held in Belfast, Derry and a dozen other venues.

Union leaders threaten to include MoT centres, vehicle tax offices and meat plants in stoppages next week. Driving tests will also be affected.

Up to 20,000 civil servants are demanding a cost of living increase backdated to April last year. A majority of them staged a one-day strike last month.

Planning applications and crime forensic examinations have also been disrupted by a work to rule.

John Corey, general secretary of Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance, said senior management have threatened staff with suspension.

He said: “We are not in the business of penalising the public. However, we have been left with no alternative but to step up the industrial action.”