Civil servants increase strike action

A public service union tonight announced an intensification of its civil service strike action in Northern Ireland in a dispute over pay.

NIPSA Union general secretary John Cory said the next phase of industrial action would involve more key groups of civil servants striking for extended periods.

So far the dispute has involved three one-day strikes by some 20,000 civil servants and longer strikes by small key groups of workers – one a week.

This week staff handling postal applications for motor tax went on strike for up to two weeks.

The union said they were extending the strike action but would not reveal the details until the British government had been issued with the necessary seven days notice.

However the union said departments being targeted would include: The Department of Environment, Department of Social Development, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Regional Development. Department of Employment and Learning and Department of Finance and Personnel.

Mr Cory said the intensification was the result of ministers refusing to negotiate a better pay rise for April 2003 than money enforced in December.

The British government says it has provided a 3.67% pay rise, but the union said that only covered pre-agreed annual grading increments and it amounts to a cost of living increase of nil.

British Finance Minister Ian Pearson warned the unions yesterday that there was no more money in the government coffers to pay them extra and said those not carrying out their duties fully would be docked pay.

Mr Cory said: “The fact that we are now being forced to escalate the action is due entirely to the failure of Ministers and Senior Civil Servants to engage in serious negotiations to date.

“This dispute will not go away until that core issue is addressed.”