Trains may not run for two days of The Open championships
Getty ImagesMembers of a transport union have voted to strike over pay, which could lead to trains not running on two days during The Open golf championship in Portrush next week.
Translink members of the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) will walkout on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 July.
The industrial action could involve widespread disruption to rail services, not just in Portrush, with bus services also being potentially impacted.
Translink had planned special buses and trains to for the event, while maintaining about 13,000 services a day across the network.
About 270,000 spectators are expected during the eight days of practice and competitive play.
The first official practice day is on Sunday with the four-day championship beginning on Thursday 17 July.
The TSSA represents mostly railway workers in clerical, administrative, supervisory and managerial roles.
Last month, after a vote, they announced they were prepared to take strike action, if necessary.
About 300 Translink workers are in the union, and a warning was issued last month by the union that events such as The Open could be impacted if members take industrial action.
An offer received from Translink on Wednesday was rejected by TSSA.
On Friday, members voted overwhelmingly in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike.
Within supervisor grades at NI Railways support for strike action was over 90% in favour. There were similar results in other areas – including Ulsterbus and management grades at NI Railways with over 80%.
Translink and minister 'sitting on their hands'
Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary, TSSA said they are "keen to meet Translink to resolve the ongoing disputes".
But added that while an "inadequate offer" had been made to supervisors others had been "completely ignored".
She said she had met the Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins last week and accused both Kimmins and Translink of "sitting on their hands" and "hoping that these disputes will go away".
"That's simply not going to happen," she said.
"Ultimately the responsibility for any disruption during The Open rests with Translink and the minister.
"All we are asking for is the same deal that has been offered to other staff in Translink."
The TSSA has urged Translink to return to the table.
BBC News NI have contacted the Department for Infrastructure for comment.
In a statement a Translink spokesperson said: "We remain committed to achieving a positive resolution to the ongoing dispute with TSSA trade union. Engagement has been continuous, including meetings earlier this week.
"The majority of the workforce have already accepted a similar offer.
"To support progress, we are open to working with the Labour Relations Agency to help facilitate a mutually agreeable outcome.
"We remain committed to ensuring there is no impact to services."
It is six years since The Open was last in Northern Ireland. Since then a new transport hub Grand Central Station has opened in Belfast.
There is now a more frequent train service to and from Dublin which will make it easier for golf fans from the Republic of Ireland to travel to Portrush, if there is no disruption to services.
Who has previously won The Open?
Ireland's Shane Lowry won The Open at Portrush in 2019 amid raucous scenes of celebration on the 18th green.
Rory McIlroy's recent victory in the Masters means he will be the focus of attention when the four-day tournament begins on 17 July.