Unite’s chair of Local Authorities Nigel Gregg has restated Unite’s determination to continue campaigning for a fair pay increase for local authority workers, while also indicating his union’s willingness to engage with local authority management in constructive dialogue to minimise the impact on the public.

“The campaign for a fair pay increase for local authority workers, who are the lowest paid in the public sector, will continue with further days of action planned," he said.

“We did not rush to enter into this action as we recognise that strikes cause inconvenience to the public, which we would like to avoid, and, as such, we remain open to negotiate arrangements with local authority management to minimise the disruption to members of the public.

“Unite successfully agreed arrangements with Belfast City Council and a number of other council authorities which reduced impact on bin collection ahead of the Twelfth weekend. We are happy to open such negotiations with any other councils if they approach us”, Mr Gregg concluded.