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Transport union warns of walkouts in dispute over pay

Pacemaker Interior of Grand Central Station with passengers sat in seats Pacemaker
TSSA say any action will affect services, and could be during the summer months

A union representing more than 300 Translink workers has warned of potential disruption after members voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay.

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) represents mostly workers in NI Railways in clerical, administrative, supervisory and managerial roles.

They have voted for both action short of strike and walkouts with the union saying any action "raises the prospect of services being reduced or failing to run at all in the face of action taken over the summer months".

Translink said that it had "proposed a pay increase, in line with other public sector pay rises".

Why might workers walk out?

The company said it "remains committed to reaching an agreement that will not impact passenger services".

TSSA said members in "control roles" at NI Railways are "equivalent" to air traffic controllers for trains and are "essential" for railway safety.

If control workers were to go on strike, trains would not be able to run, according to the union.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said members had "given an overwhelming mandate".

"Translink's refusal to offer a fair deal has left us no option but to prepare for industrial action.

"Our union does not take this step lightly, but we have been left with no choice after other grades in Translink were offered the equivalent of a 5.77% pay increase, yet our members are expected to accept less for doing critical work that keeps Northern Ireland moving.

"Unless Translink and the Department for Infrastructure urgently step up with a meaningful offer, they will bear full responsibility for the disruption facing the public this summer," she added.

The GMB union, which also represents NI Railway staff, is currently balloting its members over industrial action.

The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted for comment.

PA Media Liz Kimmins speaking in Stormont, a stone walled building. She has long brown hair and is wearing a white shirt. PA Media
The TSSA said it is up to the DfI and its minister, Liz Kimmins along with Translink to sort the pay dispute

TSSA organiser Gary Kelly warned that summer events, such as the Open, concerts and gigs, could be impacted if members take industrial action.

"We are required to provide one week's notice.

"We haven't selected any dates for industrial action but we are aware that there are some major events in Belfast, not just the Open but there are some concerts and gigs...when it comes to disruption at these events the ball is in Translink and the (Infrastructure) minister Liz Kimmins court."

He also warned that if any of its members who work for NI Railway do take part in industrial action or walkouts, it will affect services as most of the union's members are controllers and it is unsafe to run trains without controllers.

He added it could cause a "complete cancellation of (railway) services".

Speaking to BBC News NI he said industrial action by TSSA members who work for Ulsterbus "may not cause an immediate impact" to services but there could be "longer-term consequences further down the road".

Mr Kelly said the union has not received a response from the Department for Infrastructure on the outcome of the ballot on Monday.