Transport union warns of walkouts in dispute over pay

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".

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.