Unite, GMB and SIPTU trade unions blame Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris for threat of public transport bus and rail strike

Unite, GMB and SIPTU are balloting members who are frontline bus and rail workers on possible action up to and including a strike.

Unite the union said its members voted by 98.5% to reject management's "insulting zero percent pay offer".

The first date for any action would be Friday 1 December, affecting Ulsterbus, Metro, Glider and rail services.

Unite the union’s General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly by 98.5% to reject management's insulting zero percent pay offer. We are now encouraging members to vote for industrial action up to and including strike action to win a proper pay increase.

She added: "The brutal budget cuts imposed by Chris Heaton-Harris on Northern Ireland public services have brought about this dispute by directly impacting our members."

Speaking for GMB, Regional Officer Peter Macklin said his members "should not be subject to a sanctions budget imposed by the Secretary of State due to the failure of politicians at Stormont".

SIPTU’s Regional Organiser Niall McNally added: "The actions of Chris Heaton-Harris in imposing harsh austerity budgets on departments are solely responsible for this situation but our members will not allow themselves to be abused like this."

A Translink spokesperson said it understands the concerns that have led to workers considering strike action but like all public sector organisations across NI, it is facing significantly reduced funding.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has also warned of the potential for significant disruption as a result of a planned five-day industrial action, week commencing 30 October by NIPSA and GMB members across the Veterinary Service Animal Health Group (VSAHG).

At a meeting of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee yesterday, Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart challenged the Secretary of State to ensure public services in Northern Ireland were properly funded.

“Our nurses and healthcare workers deserve better from the Government," she said. "They watch whilst those doing the same jobs in other parts of the UK are given a pay increase, but have to listen to the Secretary of State and others wash their hands of the issue."