Northern Ireland

Bus and train unions to re-enter talks with Translink over pay dispute

Northern Ireland is set to be brought to a standstill next week in the biggest strike in recent history, trade unions have said
(Liam McBurney/PA)

Trade unions representing public transport workers are to re-enter discussions with Translink over pay.

Bus and rail workers have staged several days of industrial action in recent months.

This week they voted to reject an offer for 2023/24 which included a 5% pay uplift and a one-off payment of £1,500 describing it as “inadequate”.

On Wednesday, Translink chief executive Chris Conway said the company “doesn’t have any more funding to address pay”.

He said Translink had negotiated “very hard” over a long period to reach the deal which had been put to staff.

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Last month, the unions agreed to suspend planned strike dates in February while talks progressed.

The action had caused widespread disruption, including some dates in the run-up to Christmas.

On Friday, the unions issued a joint statement which said they would make no further public comments on the dispute ahead of the conclusion of talks.

Translink said it had “engaged with the trade unions and the process is on-going”.

“There will be no further comment at this stage,” a spokesperson added.