Government’s block on NI pay deal “shameful”

The government’s decision to block the local government
pay deal to Northern Ireland education staff has been slammed as
“shameful and unworthy” by public sector union Unison,
writes Clare Jerrom.

The UK Treasury has put a block on the negotiated pay deal for
more than 30,000 workers in Northern Ireland. The department of
education (NI) has instructed the employers to halt the payments
and make a business case for any pay award exceeding 3.5 per
cent.

“Unison won’t allow its members to be treated like
political footballs and won’t allow the department to get
away with this,” said Dave Prentis Unison’s general
secretary. “We will be seeking urgent talks to resolve
this.”

The pay awards are part of the UK-wide three-year-settlement
worth 8.9 per cent. The deal included a commitment through the
local government pay commission to address the disadvantage
suffered by these low paid key workers.