Public transport workers in Northern Ireland vote to reject five percent pay offer from Translink

Translink Metro buses in parked in Belfast City centre. A number of bus services in the Belfast area are to be suspended or diverted following recent attacks on vehicles, Translink has announced. 
Picture date: Monday November 8, 2021.
Picture by: Liam McBurney/PA Wire/PA Images
Workers have taken strike action during the pay dispute

Public transport workers in Northern Ireland have rejected what unions have called an “inadequate pay increase from Translink”.

In a joint statement, Unite, GMB and SIPTU confirmed their members had overwhelmingly rejected a pay increase of five percent plus a one-off payment of £1,500 for the 2023-24 financial year.

Bus and rail workers voted with majorities of approximately 70 per cent to reject the pay offer.

The unions are now set to re-enter talks with Translink over pay.

A Translink spokesperson said: “We are currently awaiting the outcome of the ballots of all grades across the organisation. At that stage we will engage with our Trade Unions on the next steps.”

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