Speaking on the eve of the public sector strikes on 18 January, ICTU Assistant General Secretary Gerry Murphy said
Today in the house of Commons, Chris Heaton-Harris repeated the same discredited line he has held throughout this crisis, that fair pay for public servants is not his responsibility, but that of a restored NI Executive.
The secretary of State’s strategy has clearly failed and it has failed the people of Northern Ireland.
The trade union movement have won the popular argument, as witnessed the support we have seen from women’s groups, the voluntary sector, students’ unions, the 50 Chief Executives in the public sector, the PSNI Chief Constable and the head of the NICS and the public at large.
Thursday’s strikes and rallies will be demonstrations of industrial and public solidarity on a scale never seen before in this place. Each industrial dispute has been mandated by the votes of trade union members. Every stage of this campaign for fair pay and better budgets from accountable local political institutions, has had the input of small and large trade unions. We have worked with every political party to ensure that our message is clearly understood and our economic analysis is appreciated by all sides.
It only remains for Chris Heston-Harris to do the decent thing and release the funds.
See below for information on marches, rallies and speakers.
Final details on Thursday’s events
Following on from last monday’s communique, here are the latest arrangements which were agreed in relation to 18th January day of action. Also attached graphics for social media etc.
Belfast
Feeder marches from each of the three Belfast Hospitals will take place as follows:
- 11.00 AM – Belfast City Hospital
- 11.15 AM – Royal Victoria Hospital
- 11.30 AM – Mater Hospital
In addition, Unite, SIPTU and GMB are planning feeders from Translink depots:
- Falls bus depot and Milewater Service Centre on Duncrue Street – at 11:00
- Short Strand depot -at 11:20
The Belfast rally will commence at 12 noon with music playing from 11.30.
Chaired by Paddy Mackel and speakers from each of the following Unions (as agreed in alphabetical order of union)
GMB – Alan Perry
INTO – Mark McTaggart
NASUWT – Justin McCamphill
NIPSA – Carmel Gates
SIPTU – Niall McNally
UCU – Jo Grady
Unison - Patricia McKeown
Unite – Susan Fitzgerald
Owen Reidy will express the support of ICTU affiliates across the island.
Gerry Murphy will make short concluding remarks.
L’Derry
Please note the March and Rally details for Derry TUC as below.
Route and Rally March 1
Leaving Altnagelvin Hospital at 10.30 am
Pickup point Dales Corner 10.50
Arriving Guildhall Square 11.45
Route and Rally March 2
Leaving Sainsbury/Fort George 11.00 am
Pickup point Waterloo Square 11.15
Guildhall Square 11.45
Rally and Speeches 11-45am Guildhall Square
Speakers will include Derry Mayor Patricia Logue and Eamonn McCann, as well as speakers from striking unions.
Ballymena
Ballymena and Antrim Trades Council will be holding a rally at the Harmony Hub (the Bandstand) in Ballymena on the 18th.
Timed to begin at 10.00 am the rally will conclude in time to allow participants who wish to join the Belfast Rally time to travel to the city.
Marches in other areas co-ordinated by the Trade’s Councils are as previously announced:
*Omagh (Courthouse) 1pm - March at 12.30 from Crevenagh Rd Park and Ride.
*Enniskillen (Town Hall) 1pm – feeder parade from Brook Park, meet from 12, march off 12:30.
*Magherafelt (Diamond) 11am
*Cookstown (Old post office/Main St) 1pm.
