The GMB Union, representing Translink staff, has announced that industrial action that threatened to “shut down all bus services” across Northern Ireland.
The strike was set to start tomorrow, Tuesday 17 May, and continue until the following Monday.
This afternoon Peter Macklin, GMB Regional Organiser, said:
“After last ditch talks, Translink workers now have a revised pay offer.
“As a gesture of goodwill, industrial action has been suspended until workers have voted on the new offer.
“If they accept it, the strikes would be cancelled completely. But if they turn it down, GMB will meet with members immediately to discuss new strike dates.”
Translink said it is pleased to have reached an agreement with officials from Unite the Union and GMB Bus Driver Trade Unions to avert this week’s industrial action.
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd has welcomed an agreement being reached between Translink and officials from Unite the Union and GMB Bus Driver Trade Unions to avert this week’s industrial action.
Minister O’Dowd said:
“This is good news. While I fully recognise and respect the rights of Trade Unions to take action on issues that matter to them and their members, I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to avoid strike action this week. Public transport services are a very important part of every day life for our citizens and I am pleased that the disruption to those services has been averted. I commend all sides for their hard work in reaching this agreement.”
A Translink spokesperson stated:
“Following a meeting with the Union officials today, we have structured a revised offer that acknowledges their concerns over increasing inflation and the cost of living while also supporting wider business needs.
“We welcome this constructive engagement with our unions.
“Preventing this industrial action has been of the utmost priority for the company. We are pleased to have found a way forward that will enable us to build back public transport for a more sustainable and better future for all”.
All Translink bus services including school buses will operate as normal from Tuesday 17th May and for the rest of the week.