Striking civil servants offered pay deal

The British government today offered striking civil servants in Northern Ireland a fresh pay deal in a bid to end their bitter 34-week dispute.

Northern Ireland Office minister Barry Gardiner confirmed that staff were being offered an increase of 4.65% over 16 months, with all elements of the package backdated to April 1 this year.

Mr Gardiner insisted the deal was good for the civil service and he urged workers to consider the package carefully.

“Today we have made a fair and reasonable offer for 2004 pay to the trade union and sought new negotiation on the way ahead for civil service pay,” the finance and personnel minister said.

“I would ask staff to consider it carefully before taking any decisions.

“We would like to recommence negotiations with NIPSA as soon as possible to explore the details and ensure that we achieve the best possible outcome for staff within the remit approved by the government.”

Last week, the civil service union, NIPSA, denounced Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy’s handling of the dispute which had seen disruption to MOT tests as well as benefits, road tax, planning and rates offices.

NIPSA general secretary John Corey accused Mr Murphy of doing nothing to help find a resolution of the dispute and of refusing to budge from his government’s insistence that it could only be resolved within the confines of the Treasury’s remit of 3.5% for earnings growth.

“The Secretary of State has not listened to anything we said,” Mr Corey complained.

“Clearly, direct rule ministers are intent on treating Northern Ireland civil service staff as second class citizens when it comes to fair pay increases for public services."