Public sector workers take part in a rally in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Photo: PAThousands of public sector workers have taken to the streets across Northern Ireland in the biggest strike action in the region’s recent history. A mass rally in Belfast heard calls for Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to release pay awards for workers and for the DUP to end its boycott of Stormont. An estimated 150,000 public sector workers took part in the walkouts over pay, with trade unions warning action will escalate if their pay demands are not met. Irish Congress of Trade Unions assistant general secretary Gerry Murphy called on Mr Heaton-Harris to end his “failed political strategy” and award a pay rise to workers.

Source: Irish Independent January 19, 2024 03:08 UTC