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Traffic staff sacked over walkout Traffic staff sacked over walkout
(1 day later)
Twenty six traffic attendants who who went on an unofficial strike in Belfast two weeks ago have been sacked.Twenty six traffic attendants who who went on an unofficial strike in Belfast two weeks ago have been sacked.
The attendants had been suspended after walking out in protest about conditions, including sickness pay and rota changes.The attendants had been suspended after walking out in protest about conditions, including sickness pay and rota changes.
Their employer, NCP, said it was reluctant to sack them but that the attendants had taken illegal action.Their employer, NCP, said it was reluctant to sack them but that the attendants had taken illegal action.
The attendants union, NIPSA, said the sackings were "grossly unfair" and it would contest them.The attendants union, NIPSA, said the sackings were "grossly unfair" and it would contest them.
Tim Cowen, Director of Communications for NCP, said: "We have a moral and contractual obligation to deliver a public service for the people of Belfast and we cannot allow that to be disrupted by unlawful strike action."Tim Cowen, Director of Communications for NCP, said: "We have a moral and contractual obligation to deliver a public service for the people of Belfast and we cannot allow that to be disrupted by unlawful strike action."
Ilegal actionIlegal action
He added that the affected workers took the action "without proper process."He added that the affected workers took the action "without proper process."
"We have a very good relationship with trades unions in Northern Ireland and will continue to work with unions representing their members - but we cannot support illegal action of this kind."We have a very good relationship with trades unions in Northern Ireland and will continue to work with unions representing their members - but we cannot support illegal action of this kind.
However the attendants union, NIPSA, described the sacking as "grossly unfair and unjustified."However the attendants union, NIPSA, described the sacking as "grossly unfair and unjustified."
NIPSA's General Secretary John Corey said:"Traffic attendants have served this community in Northern Ireland as public servants through the most difficult times. They do not deserve to be arbitrarily dismissed by this Company using anti trade union legislation.NIPSA's General Secretary John Corey said:"Traffic attendants have served this community in Northern Ireland as public servants through the most difficult times. They do not deserve to be arbitrarily dismissed by this Company using anti trade union legislation.
"In the last two weeks NIPSA has done everything possible, including representations to the Department for Regional Development, to resolve all issues and restore normal traffic attendants' services."In the last two weeks NIPSA has done everything possible, including representations to the Department for Regional Development, to resolve all issues and restore normal traffic attendants' services.
"Regrettably rather than address these genuine grievances and restore normal services urgently as we requested, the company has dismissed the staff."Regrettably rather than address these genuine grievances and restore normal services urgently as we requested, the company has dismissed the staff.
"NIPSA will do all in its power to overturn these dismissals.""NIPSA will do all in its power to overturn these dismissals."
The company has a total of 180 staff on street deployment across Northern Ireland.The company has a total of 180 staff on street deployment across Northern Ireland.