78% majority strike ballot brings more workers into dispute

She said UNISON’s members in health and education who took strike action on October 5 against the impact of the cuts are now joined by workers in the Business Service Organisation (BSO); the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB); the Public Health Agency (PHA) and other health and social care regulatory bodies

“In Education our members in a range of voluntary grammar, integrated and Irish Medium schools have voted for action. They are also joined by members in the Juvenile Justice system, the Police Ombudsman’s Office, the University of Ulster and local councils,” she said.

“UNISON is the first union to declare. In the coming days others will declare their results. It is increasingly clear that the rest of the public service will follow the courageous lead of those UNISON members who stood up for their services and their rights in last month’s industrial action.

“That strength of feeling will become clear on November 30. It is to be hoped that our political leaders will now start to respond to an increasingly critical situation unfolding within the public services.

“They cannot afford to sit back and preside over the destruction of public services and workers rights. That was never the deal struck between them, the people and the workers,” said Ms McKeown.