Traffic Attendants to vote on strike action DRD Minister urged to intervene in dispute
Traffic Attendants to vote on strike action DRD Minister urged to intervene in dispute
01/07/2009
Traffic Attendants across Northern Ireland, who are members of the trade union NIPSA, are gearing up for a vote on possible strike action in support of 26 Belfast based Traffic Attendants who were sacked in April this year.
The 26 Traffic Attendants were initially suspended by their employer NSL Group Services after they staged a protest walk out on the afternoon of 3 April over the company’s inaction in dealing with a range of grievances including a number of health and safety concerns. An independent Health and Safety expert has since confirmed that the company was in serious breach of health and safety law.
John Corey NIPSA General Secretary commenting on the latest development stated ……
“This company’s dismissal of the Belfast Traffic Attendants was grossly unfair. Since these sackings took place the morale of all Traffic Attendants has been badly damaged. NIPSA has been urging the company to engage in constructive discussions to secure the immediate reinstatement of the workers but the company has refused. The company has also rejected our proposals to involve the statutory body for industrial relations in Northern Ireland, the Labour Relations Agency.
It is no surprise then that our members are now giving serious consideration to strike action in order to force this company to act reasonably. Inevitably if the Traffic Attendants vote for action commuters will be affected especially travelling to and from work.”
Mr Corey also confirmed that NIPSA representatives are due to meet the Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy tomorrow (Thursday) to press him to intervene directly with the company on the issue. Mr Corey said ……
“Ultimately responsibility for the Traffic Attendants service lies with the Minister and the Department. We have provided independent evidence to the Minister that the company was in breach of its contract with the Department. We will be pressing the Minister again to intervene directly to secure a resolution of this whole matter.”
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