This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7510815.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Day two of council staff walk-out | Day two of council staff walk-out |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The second day of a 48-hour strike by council workers and local government staff has caused further disruption. | |
| Unions say the rising cost of food and petrol effectively makes a 2.45% pay offer a pay cut, and they want 6%. Last month's inflation rate was 3.8%. | Unions say the rising cost of food and petrol effectively makes a 2.45% pay offer a pay cut, and they want 6%. Last month's inflation rate was 3.8%. |
| Employers warn frontline services could be cut if salaries were to increase. | Employers warn frontline services could be cut if salaries were to increase. |
| Bin collectors, leisure centre workers and librarians have been among those on picket lines, though the level of disruption has varied across councils. | |
| Is your council hit by the strike? | Is your council hit by the strike? |
| Normal bin collection service was reported in Antrim, Armagh, Ards, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Magherafelt, Moyle and Omagh. | Normal bin collection service was reported in Antrim, Armagh, Ards, Ballymoney, Banbridge, Dungannon, Fermanagh, Magherafelt, Moyle and Omagh. |
| The council-run City of Derry airport has remained closed, as has Belfast Zoo, and many leisure centres across Northern Ireland were shut down. | |
| Employers say across the UK, just under a quarter of workers are taking part in the action. However, they claim the figure is lower in Northern Ireland. | Employers say across the UK, just under a quarter of workers are taking part in the action. However, they claim the figure is lower in Northern Ireland. |
| The Local Government Association said the strike was regrettable, but the 2.45% pay increase was their best and final offer. | The Local Government Association said the strike was regrettable, but the 2.45% pay increase was their best and final offer. |
| They also point out the unions are split on the issue, as the GMB union has accepted the pay deal. | They also point out the unions are split on the issue, as the GMB union has accepted the pay deal. |