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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Workers from NIPSA, SIPTU, GMB and Unite have unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in their Chief Executive Marie Ward, and are currently in the process or organising a ballot for possible industrial action, to include both action short of a strike as well as strike action.
Two meetings of Council staff were held last week in Newry and Downpatrick, hosted by the four trade unions representing workers of all grades where the vote of no confidence was carried unanimously in both venues. It was also decided that the Ballot should follow.
A statement from Unite said the vote "must be seen as message to those in a position of influence, that this type of leader who cannot, or will not, honour negotiated agreements is not acceptable to our members or their staff."
The statement added "Workers in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have lost trust and confidence in the NDMDC Chief Executive Marie Ward, and are commencing a new ballot for refreshed industrial action, up to and including strike action, after management at the Council have neglected to honour a deal agreed in 2022."
Council workers from all four unions took part in industrial action campaigns in 2021 and 2022.
Kevin Kelly, spokesperson for the joint trade union side, said “Striking staff successfully campaigned for an end to unfair job evaluation practices, and that allowances would be maintained until RPA was finalised and that any amendments could only be done through negotiations.
“Management have reneged on these agreements, despite the unfair continuations of workers carrying out the same jobs but on different rates
“This Council is now under the illusion that they do not have to honour the agreements reached that ended those campaigns.
“At both staff meetings, there were votes of no confidence from the floor, in the current Chief Executive, and that there should follow a ballot for industrial action, to include both action short of a strike as well as strike action. All four unions are now in the process of organising this ballot and further meetings and correspondence with staff and management will follow in the coming weeks.
“All four unions understand the frustration another ballot and potential industrial action may cause hard-pressed Council staff. However unions believe this is exactly what management are relying on. Let us not give them the apathy and resignation they expect, let us give them what we always do a strong and definitive message through a positive ballot for action. Let us tell them again and again that we will not accept their attempts to undermine and change your conditions that were hard earned and deserved.”
